An evaluation of the computerised selection of students into colleges of education. A case study

Abstract

Computerized selection system is a school admission system that consists of a collection of different hardware and software requiring disparate supporting infrastructures and offering little in the way of integration. Computerized admission process at the various college of education in Ghana starts with sorting applications based on applicants’ choices, grades, and college requirements for specific programme. The system sometimes force some candidates initially selected to concede their place to others far behind in the list. Applicants who are not selected for their first-choice programme are put in a pool for second choice selection. The study evaluated the efficiency, reliability and challenges of using computerized system for admitting students into public Colleges of Education, with particular reference to the educational colleges affiliated with the University of Cape Coast. The study used explanatory research with a quantitative research method. The total population for the study was 255 admission officers, quality assurance staff, and Heads of departments. The researchers' sample size for the study was 192. Questionnaire was used for the data collection instrument. Quantitative analysis was done with the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The results revealed that verification of college requirements using a computerised selection system had a high factor as compared to other factors to the efficiency of electronic sorting and selection of admission applications at colleges of education. The study concluded that the use of computerised selection for issuing admission letters after admission at the college of education in Ghana makes electronic sorting and selection of applications efficient. The study recommended that a computerised selection system should be upgraded and updated to enhance its' efficiency and reliability.