Schools In Ghana Research Articles

Exploring the prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity in second cycle schools in Ghana

Exploring the prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity in second cycle schools in Ghana

Examining the Predictive Capacity of School-based Assessment on Students' Mathematics Performance in Large-scale Examinations

This study underscores the importance of school-based assessment (SBA) in predicting students' mathematics performance in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana. The study was conducted using 150 mathematics teachers from public junior high schools in Ghana's Central Region, the research employed a quantitative approach, using surveys to gather data on internal examination scores, SBA practices, teaching experience, and gender. Regression analysis revealed a strong predictive relationship between internal exam scores and BECE performance (R² = 0.663, B = 0.374, SE = 0.006, t = 67.24, p < .000), while ANOVA showed significant variations in SBA practices based on teaching experience (F (3, 146) = 6.99, p < 0.05). However, t-tests indicated no significant gender differences in SBA practices among teachers (t (148) = 1.100, p = 0.273). These findings highlight the critical role of internal assessments and teaching experience in enhancing educational outcomes and suggest that educational policies should support effective SBA practices and professional development for teachers. Based on these findings, it is recommended to enhance formative assessment practices by focusing on continuous and comprehensive internal assessments, provide ongoing professional development for teachers to improve their skills in implementing SBA, and allocate adequate resources for mathematics education to support effective teaching and learning environments.

Improving pupil performance in rural Ghana basic schools: Principals' leadership challenges

This research used the multiple qualitative case study design, aiming to explore the leadership challenges of principals of basic schools in rural Ghana. Specifically, the study was to uncover the latent conditions frustrating the efforts of the principals to improve pupil performance and to explore leadership practices of school principals that could address the challenges and boost rural pupil performance. The study utilised multiple sources to obtain data from 33 participants accidentally selected. The study found that the principals could not do much to improve rural pupil performance because of ill-equipped learning environments, school indiscipline, ineffective instructional supervision, parents’ casual attitudes towards formal education, and mass promotion. The research revealed further that, to salvage the situation, the leaders needed to engage in practices such as vision-driven leadership, people-centered leadership, leadership based on resourcefulness, autonomous leadership, and decisive leadership. The significance of the study, both locally and internationally, was explored.

AN ANALYSIS OF DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION CONCEPT IN SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE

The concept of definition is a basic discussion in a study. The objectives of this study is to analyse the definition and description concept contained in scientific article. The definition and description is considered as an important thing to comprehend the concept of discussion. The analyzed article is entitled “Effects of Educational Management on Quality Education in Rural and Urban Primary Schools in Ghana” Heliyon Journal published by Elsevier Ltd. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method and a theory from Miles and Huberman as a technique of data analysis. There are five data found in article classified as a definition and description. The result shows that all the data categorized as a real definition and there is no nominal definition in the article.

An Investigation of The Connection of Bloom’s Taxonomy to the Core Mathematics Curriculum for Senior High Schools in Ghana

This paper attempts to preview the connection of Bloom's taxonomy to Ghana's Senior High School mathematics curriculum. Mathematics is a vital tool for economic growth and national development as a STEM subject. Bloom's taxonomy, which presents a hierarchical model, helps educators teach school mathematics to enable students to acquire basic Knowledge known as order thinking (LOT) skills and develop higher-order thinking (HOT) skills. The analysis of the mathematics syllabus concerning Bloom's taxonomy revealed that the syllabus concentrates more on the three fundamental skills in Bloom's hierarchy of teaching and assessment. Remember 18.1%, Understand 33.3%, and Apply 29.8%, totalling 81.2%, leaving only 18.8% for the top three HOT skills. The study recommends that Ghana adopt a curriculum model that focuses on teaching transversal skills that can churn out informed citizens rather than putting students under the shackles of tests.

Context matters: exploring teacher and learner contexts in ICT integration in slum public basic schools in Ghana

Context matters: exploring teacher and learner contexts in ICT integration in slum public basic schools in Ghana

An Evaluation of the Implementation of the Social Studies Curriculum in Ghana: A Case Study of the Asante Akim North District

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Social Studies Curriculum for Senior High Schools in Ghana to determine whether the subject has attained its goal(s). The study took place in the Asante Akim North District. The population for study were all Social Studies teachers and students in the district. The multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for the study and the sample size was 120, made up of 100 students and 20 teachers. The concurrent mixed method approach was adopted. The main instruments used for collecting data were questionnaires, interviews (focus group and semi-structured interview) guide, observation and documentary analysis. Quantitative data were tabulated, organized, analysed and interpreted to draw sound conclusions and generalizations. The data were presented in the form of tables and percentages. Words were used to interpret the tables and percentages for easy understanding. The qualitative data responses were described and explained in the form of themes. Sometimes responses were quoted verbatim to authenticate claims made. The study revealed that most of the teachers who are the curriculum implementers have forgotten the subject's general objectives. Therefore, they teach the subject without any cognizance of the attainment of these objectives. Concerning the findings of the study, it is recommended that the district education directorate should organize periodic workshops, in-service training and seminars for teachers teaching the subject. This will help Social Studies teachers acquire the relevant knowledge and the pre-requisite skills needed to effectively implement the Social Studies curriculum in the Asante Akim North District.”

Exploring Innovative Approaches and Interventions to Address Misconceptions and Promote Effective Visual Arts Education in Secondary Schools in Ghana

Visual arts education is important in developing students’ creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. However, in Ghana, visual arts subjects at the secondary school level often need help with challenges such as lack of resources, large class sizes, and misconceptions about the value of art education. This study aimed to explore innovative approaches and interventions that could address misconceptions and promote effective visual arts education in Ghana’s secondary schools. A qualitative document analysis and thematic analysis were conducted. Relevant policy documents, national curriculum frameworks, and previous research studies related to visual arts education in Ghana were analyzed to identify existing challenges, opportunities, and recommendations. Key emerging themes included misconceptions about visual arts subjects, lack of resources, training for art teachers and large class sizes that do not augur well for hands-on learning. The analysis also identified recommendations such as integrating visual arts across the curriculum, promoting art exhibitions, and leveraging community resources and partnerships to support visual arts programmes. This study provides insights into existing challenges in visual arts education in Ghana’s secondary schools and highlights innovative approaches that could help address misconceptions and strengthen visual arts programmes. Integrating visual arts across subject areas, promoting art exhibitions, improving teacher training, and leveraging community partnerships may help promote effective visual arts education.

Understanding teachers’ usage of YouTube as a pedagogical tool: A qualitative case study of basic school teachers in Ghana

YouTube has been widely considered as a pedagogical tool over the last few decades. Recent findings from research portray YouTube videos as an instructional part of learning that contributes to best practices in teaching. Much of the studies have focused on usage by teachers and students at the tertiary level without much attention given to basic school teachers. Using an exploratory qualitative case study design and the ICT Pedagogical Beliefs Classification framework, we explored teachers’ usage of YouTube as a pedagogical tool. We drew on the experiences of 18 teachers in 3 private schools in Ghana to find out how Youtube was used in instruction. Four dominant ways of usage were identified. YouTube was used as a teaching tool, a means of enhancing specific topics, a means of learning new and varied ways of teaching, and as a means of developing teachers’ professional competence. Findings showed that whilst some of the ways of usage align with constructivist methods of teaching others still fall within traditional and teacher centred approaches to teaching. We argue that for teachers to enact meaningful pedagogies with technology through a more student-centred model, their knowledge and skills need to be developed alongside the reshaping of their motives and reasons and subsequently the ways in which they use technology for teaching. We recommend the planning and reinforcement of innovative instructional design of technological integration for teachers through informed policy and the use of training interventions to build new skills geared towards constructive and creative teaching suited to developing a net generation of students.

Focal digital devices and meaning in digital education: An ethnographic study of Ghanaian schools

Although extant research has addressed the importance of focal things and practices, as well as human values when engaging with digital technologies, a lot remains to be understood about the role of digital focal things in digital education. The paper argues that while Albert Borgmann understood digital devices as objects that render meaningless engagement, based on an ethnographic study of junior high schools in the Central region of Ghana, digital focal things can indeed invite meaningful learning experiences in digital education. However, despite positive gains there are also other aspects to this media ecology that raise tensions such as the trading and selling of student information and students becoming surveillance commodities. This paper begins with an overview of Borgmann’s philosophy, followed by an outline of methods and then moves to an analysis of digital focal things in the context of junior high schools in Ghana. The paper ends with concluding remarks.

THE INTEGRATED APPROACH IN ESL AND EFL CONTEXTS: THE PRACTICE IN GHANA AND GUINEA-CONAKRY

<p>A key concept of the English language syllabus for both Ghana and Guinea-Conakry is the <em>integrated</em> <em>approach</em> (as opposed to the <em>segregated-skills</em> approach) to the teaching of language skills. Like the <em>communicative language teaching</em> method, the <em>integrated approach</em> exposes English language learners to authentic language and challenges them to interact naturally in the language. The designers of English language curriculum in Ghana and Guinea-Conakry believe that the <em>receptive</em> (listening and reading) and <em>productive</em> (speaking and writing) skills are interrelated and hence complementary, and they must not be taught separately. Teaching language skills separately in a language learning setting has been defined as the <em>traditional approach</em> to teaching a second or a foreign language. Teachers of English in Ghana and Guinea-Conakry are expected to move away from the <em>traditional approach</em> to the<em> integrated</em> <em>approach </em>to language teaching. This paper aims to find out whether teachers of English in Ghana and Guinea-Conakry are familiar with the <em>Integrated Language Teaching </em>method and are being employed in the ESL and EFL classrooms in Ghana and Guinea-Conakry respectively. <em>A classroom observation</em> and <em>a semi-structured interview</em> were conducted with 24 English language teachers from 4 junior high schools and 8 senior high schools in Ghana and 5 teachers of English from Saint-André Catholic School, Guinea-Conakry. The findings showed that there was a disparity between the curriculum developers’ expectations and classroom practice in Ghana and that the selection of teaching methodology was highly influenced by the thought that the students had to sit for high-stakes tests but not that they had to attain communicative competence. However, in Guinea-Conakry, teachers used the<em> Integrated Language Teaching </em>method because <em>speaking</em> is tested.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/lit/0758/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Using the Lattice Method to help Basic Six (6) Pupils of Zogbeli Primary School in Ghana to understand the Concept of Multiplying Multi-digit Multiplicands

This study emerged as a result of the inability of Basic Six (6) at Zogbeli Primary School pupils in Tamale, Northern Region Ghana to understand the concept of multiplying multi-digit multiplicands. To address this problem, the action research methodology was used to provide an immediate solution. A simple random sample of 45 pupils from a total of 90 pupils of a mixed class of P.6A and P.6B was chosen to participate in the study. A Pre-test consisting of 10 test items was administered to assess the pupils’ initial understanding of the concept. The results showed that the majority of the pupils scored poorly, with a mean score of 1.51 and a standard deviation of 0.91. An intervention using the lattice method for five days was then implemented. The lattice method is a hands-on learning method that involves both physical movement and mental engagement. It was hypothesized that this method would help the pupils to develop a deeper understanding of the concept of multiplying multi-digit multiplicands. After the three-day intervention, a Post-test was administered to assess the pupils’ understanding of the concept of multiplying multi-digit multiplicands and also to assess how effective the intervention was in the study. The results showed a significant improvement, with a mean score of 8.11 and a standard deviation of 2.54. Additionally, 93.4% of the pupils scored above the average mark of 5. The findings of this study suggest that lattice technology is an effective method for teaching the concept of multiplying multi-digit multiplicands. This method is engaging and easy to understand, and it can help pupils develop a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts involved. In conclusion, the use of lattice technology has improved the learning experiences of Basic Six pupils at Zogbeli Primary School. Pupils now have a practical method for solving multi-digit multiplication problems, and they have a better understanding of the mathematical concepts involved. Keywords: Action Research, Pre-test, Post-test, Paired Sample t-test, Lattice technology

Exploring impact of student attitude, parental involvement, and teacher competence on mathematics performance in selected schools in Northern Ghana

The purpose of this study was to see how students’ attitudes towards mathematics influenced their academic achievement in the Savelugu Municipality in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed the pragmatic paradigm and quantitative methodology. A 41-item semi-structured questionnaire rated using 5-points Likert scale, and document reviews were used to collect data. A combination of purposive and simple random sampling procedures was used to select 35 junior high school (JHS) in the Savulugu Municipality, questionnaires were administered to 350 JHS students, however, 315 questionnaires were returned. Data obtained from questionnaire were analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, t-test, means, standard deviation, and percentages. The results revealed that educational institutions should develop programs to help parents become more active in their children’s education. To influence students’ attitudes towards mathematics study, policymakers and the Ghanaian Educational Service should promote programs such as National Mathematics Day to raise students’ awareness of the importance of mathematics in their daily lives. The Ministry of Education and non-governmental organizations should endeavor to offer enough instructional resources and financial incentives to instructors to help them make teaching relevant in the classroom.

Investigating age-related COVID-19 digital health literacy and sense of coherence among adolescents and young adults in schools across Northern Ghana

IntroductionThe empirical link between digital health literacy (DHL) and sense of coherence (SoC) has been extensively discussed in the literature. Yet, there seems to be limited evidence regarding the roles of age and depression status in the link between DHL and SoC of adolescents and young adults (AYAs), especially during the COVID-19 crises. This study investigated the interplay between age, DHL, SoC and psychological distress. Particularly, the study examined the following: (1) relationship between DHL and SoC, (2) moderating role of age in the relationship between DHL and SoC as well as (3) moderating role of depression in the relationship between DHL and SoC.MethodsThe study used a cross-sectional survey to select 998 AYAs in secondary schools in Northern Ghana through questionnaire administration using a stratified sampling procedure.ResultsFindings reveal that age was positively and significantly related to DHL and SoC. However, age failed to moderate the relationship between DHL and SoC. With the same level of DHL, students who exhibited depressive symptoms compared to those without, had lower levels of SoC regardless of their age.ConclusionsAlthough AYAs’ DHL are likely to differ across different age brackets, this gap does not affect their rates of SoC and depression. Nonetheless, there is a need to improve DHL through regular standard training on internet search using basic audio-visual materials like laptops, smart phones, tablets, and lab computers for adolescent and young adult students. Additionally, school authorities, in collaboration with other stakeholders should develop student-centred cognitive-behavioural strategies aimed at reducing depressive symptoms in secondary school students who are at risk of depression in Northern Ghana.

Effects of Gender and Age Interaction on Sense of Coherence and Subjective Well-Being of Senior High School Students in Northern Ghana

Though several studies have established the effect of gender and age on the sense of coherence (SoC) and subjective well-being (SWB) among diverse populations, findings have been varied and inconclusive. These inconsistencies have been attributed to the differences in sample characteristics, methodological and cultural disparities. Thus, the present study assessed the following: (1) gender and age effect on SoC, (2) gender and age effect on SWB, and (3) moderating roles of gender and age in the link between SoC and SWB. Through a stratified sampling technique, 724 selected high school students from secondary schools in Northern Ghana completed the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being and Sense of Coherence instruments. The results showed that female students exhibited higher levels of SoC compared to their male counterparts. Whereas younger male and female students showed no significant difference in SWB levels, older female students, compared to older males, exhibited high levels of SWB. Age significantly moderated the relationship between SoC and SWB. With the same level of SoC, younger students were more likely to exhibit higher SWB compared to older ones. The findings call for sustainable gender- and age-based interventions because students subjectively develop SoC mechanisms for improving their well-being.

Enhancing Science Process Skills and Academic Performance in Biology: The Impact of Practical Work

Purpose of the study: This study aims to determine whether the use of practical work can enhance General Science students’ science process skills acquisition and academic performance students in biology at Juaben Senior High School in Ghana. The study sought to answer two research questions and test one hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level. 
 Methodology: The study used action research, and the sample consisted of 45 students, selected through convenience sampling. The study used various instruments, including pre- and post-tests, weekly intervention exercises, and scoring rubrics, to collect data. The analysis of the gathered data employed descriptive statistics and a paired sample t-test to reveal and solidify the findings of the study.
 Main Findings: According to the study’s results, the use of practical work resulted in a steady increase in students’ acquisition of science process skills in each cycle, and all students were able to demonstrate some degree of required science process skills at the post-test level in contrast to the pre-test level. Furthermore, the pre- and post-test outcomes of a paired sample t-test analysis with a 95% confidence level showed a significant improvement in the academic performance of the students, attributed to practical work.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: This research update confirms the need for practical work in biology education and shows that incorporating it into biology lessons enhances students’ acquisition and development of science process skills, which in turn enhances their academic performance.

Exploring the Nature of Road Safety Education in Basic Schools and School Children’s Travel Mode Options in Winneba, Ghana

Road safety education among school children is a critical issue that needs to be addressed as African countries record more road traffic-related deaths and disabilities. Despite efforts to increase road safety education across various mediums, basic schools in Ghana have received little of such attention despite their role in socialisation. This study explored the nature of road safety education and school children’s travel mode opinions in Winneba. The study adopted a quantitative research approach which sampled 400 school children within Class 4 to 9 (Junior High 3) from 5 basic schools. Questionnaires were filled after class hours after receiving approval from school heads. Jamovi was used to analyse the data and presented using frequency, cross-tabulation and chi-square test of independence. The study found that walking constitutes a major travel option for children in Winneba as this mode comes at no cost. Even though schools constituted a primary source of knowledge, road safety education was not assigned to a dedicated subject teacher(s) and was seldom taught in school. The study found a significant relationship between the impact of road safety education and school children’s frequently used travel mode option. The study recommends efforts to dedicate road safety lessons to subjects like Social Studies and Our World Our People since such subject’s touch on Ghanaians’ daily living situations.

Genetics and Epigenetics from Physical Activity: Ghana Active Schools’ Programme and Ambidextrous Organisational Practices

Aim: In this paper, we examine how ambidextrous organisational practices can be used to advance the management of public basic schools in accepting behaviours that can improve physical activities of children.
 Methodology: Drawing on extant literature and desk review of policy documents including school reports, we examine physical activities in public basic schools in Ghana and then explore three key developmental systems – managerial responsiveness, healthcare variation and educational development and highlight four areas from these systems; organisational processes, infrastructure development, human resource improvements, and stakeholder collaboration where policy makers can focus their efforts to improving physical activity in school children in Ghana.
 Findings: The findings demonstrate a seeming absence of structures for physical activity in public basic schools in Ghana - presenting severe consequences, especially for the healthy growth of children, proper integration of children into society, learning processes, and developing talents for future sporting activities in general. Again, the analysis shows that the Ghana Education Service’s implementation guidelines for physical activity in public basic schools are not yielding the needed results - thus provoking policy dialogues in managerial practices for effective implementation of those guidelines. Next, we propose the promotion of physical activity in public basic schools in Ghana through sustainable and pragmatic approaches drawing from ambidextrous managerial practices to strengthen organisational capacity in the schools for improvements in movement behaviours, lifestyle changes, active learning, and physical activity levels of school children.
 Conclusion: Practical approaches are needed to enhance the physical activity for children and this requires the initiation of active schools’ programme in public basic schools – and clearly learning from best practices in the last decades, examples from other countries provide a really useful approach in the years ahead.

Developing interactive pedagogies: A case of accounting pre-service teachers from Ghana

This is a study of how eight pre-service teachers developed their skills in developing interactive lessons to teach concepts in Accounting in Senior High Schools in Ghana. Sequential multiple case study design was employed to observe two cohorts of four pre-service teachers who worked in two phases of a professional development scenario to design and enact interactive Accounting lessons. Data for the study were collected through observation, interviews, lesson documents and questionnaires. Pictures, content and thematic analysis procedures were used to analyse the qualitative data, whilst means and standard deviation were used to analyse the quantitative data. It emerged from the results that the interactive lessons developed and implemented by the pre-service teachers were effective in promoting participation in the classroom. The study also brought to light that interactive teaching promotes collaboration among students through solving problems in groups which helps to strengthen the bond between students. The study thus, advocates the need for teacher training institutions to focus on training teachers to acquire the skills in designing and enacting lessons interactively to promote students’ participation in the classroom.

MAKING COMPLAINTS IN GHANAIAN ENGLISH: AN ANALYSIS OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Complaints are bound to occur in our daily interactions while seeking a remedy to that which has directly or indirectly affected someone unfavourably, thus, threatening the face of the addressee and may eventually engender social relationship breakdown if not done appropriately. This study examined complaints by speakers of Ghanaian English in three public second cycle schools in Ghana to ascertain the politeness strategies invested in expressing their dissatisfaction with an unacceptable act in Ghanaian English. The Brown and Levinson (1987) politeness theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. A case study design was adopted with data elicited from ninety-four (94) participants role-playing four complaint-provoking situations and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that eleven strategies are used in producing different complaints in Ghanaian English. The findings further indicated that Ghanaians are indirect and tend to have a high inclination toward positive politeness strategies as they try to reduce the effect of the face-threatening act of complaining on the addressee’s positive face. It was also found that this complaint behaviour is influenced by the cultural norms of politeness in Ghanaian languages.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0662/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>