Influence of teachers’ participation in decision making process in basic schools in the Tanoso circuit of the Kumasi Metropolis

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore factors that influence teachers’ participation in decision making process in basic schools in the Tanoso circuit of the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were to find out ways teachers are involved in decision-making in Basic Schools, establish the effect of teachers’ participation in decision-making on teachers’ morale and to determine the factors that prevent teachers’ participation in decision-making in Basic Schools. Descriptive survey design with quantitative method was used for the study. The target population was 325, consisting of 13 headmasters, 104 kindergarten school teachers and attendants, 78 primary school teachers and 130 Junior High School teachers. Purposive sampling method was employed to select the 13 headmasters. Simple random sampling was used to select 52 Kindergarten teachers and attendants, 39 primary school teachers, and 65 Junior High School teachers making a total sample size of 169 for the study. The study was analysed descriptively with the aid of the Statistical Product for Social Sciences (SPSS).The study found among others that teachers participate in decision making as they take part in defining students’ rights and welfare. Again, participation in decision making, empower teachers. Teacher motivation and teacher empowerment were some of the factors affecting teachers’ participation in decision making. It is recommended based on the findings and conclusions that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Directors of education should organize training workshops on the effect of teacher participation in school decision-making for heads of educational institutions to improve cooperation and performance among teachers and heads.