Challenges associated with the implementation of the School Health Education Program (SHEP) In Public Basic Schools in the Ejisu Circuit

Abstract

he purpose of this study was to find out the challenges that militate against the effective implementation of School Health Education Program (SHEP) in public basic schools in Ejisu Circuit. The objectives of the study were to find out the state of physical environment of schools that practice SHEP, the roles of SHEP coordinators in schools and lastly to find out the challenges that affect SHEP implementation. Descriptive survey design using the quantitative approach was employed for the study. The population of the study was 284. Census sampling technique was used to select a sample size of two hundred and seventy-four (274) respondents for the study. Questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. The data from the study were analyzed using descriptively statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The study revealed that public basic schools in Ejisu circuit are located in spacious and less noisy environment; however the toilet and urinal facilities provided for students are not in the best of shape and conditions. Finally the study revealed that public basic schools in Ejisu circuit are confronted with challenges as far as the implementation of SHEP is concern, the challenges include: inadequate funds to support SHEP; inadequate teaching and learning materials to support; lack of confidence in teaching topics under SHEP among other factors. The study recommends that Government of Ghana through Ghana Education Service should make funds and relevant teaching and learning materials available to support the effective implementation of SHEP.