Community participation in education provision in Bontrase Circuit, Awutu Senya District

Abstract

The study sought to explore community participation in the provision of education at the Junior High School level in the Bontrase Circuit in Awutu Senya District in the Central Region of Ghana. Qualitative approach with case study design was adopted in carrying out the study. A sample of twenty-two (24) participants were purposively selected for the study. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussions. Four (4) research questions guided the study. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results indicated that the nature of community participation was through monitoring and supervision, Infrastructure provision, and Planning and Implementation of Policies. Results on research question two indicated that participants had various experiences as barriers to community participation. Barriers identified were captured as Student Related, Teacher Related, Management Related, Community related, Infrastructure development and market day related. Results showed that Participants experienced multiple barriers such as Student Related, Teacher Related, Management Related, Community related, Infrastructure development and market day related. The study revealed that some of the strategies that could be employed to promote greater community participation in the administration of the basic schools in Bontrase Circuit included; organizing games at the school level and inviting parents to come and witness the occasion, provision of teaching and learning resources by government and regular visits by parents to check on their ward’s performances. The study concluded that all stakeholders should participate in school development as it offers rich, diverse, chaotic messiness that provide a lasting solution towards school development.