Effectiveness of School Management Committees (SMCS) in improving governance of basic public schools in Ekumfi District

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of School Management Committees (SMCs) in enhancing governance of basic public schools in the Ekumfi District of Ghana. The research aimed at assessing SMCs' roles in resource mobilization, infrastructure maintenance, and community participation, as well as their impact on teacher job satisfaction. Utilizing a quantitative research approach with a positivist view of research paradigm, descriptive survey design was used. Data were collected from 140 respondents across 20 public basic schools through structured questionnaires. The findings indicated that SMCs are moderately effective in mobilizing resources, particularly through community engagement and partnerships with NGOs. However, challenges persisted in securing technological resources and ensuring transparency in financial reporting. The study also revealed that SMCs significantly contributed to the maintenance of school facilities, with monitoring and prioritization of maintenance tasks being key strengths. There was a strong positive correlation relationship between community participation and teacher job satisfaction, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance in fostering a supportive work environment for teachers. The study concluded that while SMCs play a vital role in school governance, their effectiveness was hindered by systemic limitations, necessitating targeted interventions for capacity building and resource allocation. Recommendations included establishing continuous training programmes for SMC members by the district education directorate and enhancing community involvement in school management to improve educational outcomes.