The implementation of capitation grant policy at the basic education level in Atwima Nwabiagya District, heachers and headteachers’ perspective

Abstract

The Capitation Grant Policy (CGP) is one of the interventions adopted by the Ghana government to motivate Ghana‘s drive to achieve universal basic education. The purpose of the study was to examine the implementation of CGP on basic education in Atwima Nwabiagya District with respect to teachers and headteachers‘ perspective. The research design employed in the study was a descriptive survey through a quantitative approach. The overall reliability estimates for the instrument had a coefficient alpha of 0.844 which was above 0.7. Data for the study were obtained by using questionnaire to solicit views of teachers and headteachers on the impact of CGP on basic education. Out of 328 teachers from the sampled schools 120 of them were selected using simple random technique to participate in the study. With respect to the headmasters all heads of selected schools were purposively selected to take part in the study. The data were analysed through descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Again, one sample t-test was used to compare the average results of BECE results before and after the implementation of CGP. The following findings were made. Teachers perceived the CGP to be good for increasing enrolment, improving attendance, closing the gap between boys and girls in terms of enrolment but not improving quality education. One of the key challenges of CGP implementation faced by headteachers and teachers was irregular release of the grant. In conclusion, the CGP has worsened quality education indicators such as class size and pupil-textbook ratio. It is recommended that government should release the CG regularly so that the schools can prepare SPIP ahead of time so that the use of the grant would be maximized. Again, adequate textbooks should be provided for students.