Challenges facing head teachers of early grade public schools in Awutu-Senya West District.

Abstract

Literature indicates that most Early Grade Centres in Ghana are managed by people who have not undergone relevant training. The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges faced by heads of public early grade centres in Awutu Senya West District. The mixed method approach underpinned by the pragmatic paradigm was employed for this study. The sequential explanatory design was used as the framework for data collection and analysis. The target population for the study was 120 headteachers and assistants of Early Grade Centres of which 87 responded to the questionnaire. The census sampling frame was used to involve all the 87 respondents whereas maximal variation technique was employed to select 12 heads and assistants for the qualitative phases of the study. Quantitative data was collected using the questionnaire, and statistical analysis was done using the SPSS v.24. The interview guide was developed from the emerging issues in the quantitative analysis. The Atlas ti v.9 was used to transcribe the qualitative data before the data was integrated to give clarification to the quantitative analysis. It emerged that inadequate teaching staff, lack of motivation, lack of school resources and facilities, teacher retention, work overload and large class size were the administrative-related challenges confronting Early Grade Centres headteachers in Awutu Senya West District. It also emerged that, inadequate funding by the government, budgetary constraints, and delay in funds (capitation grant) constituted the financial-related challenges of headteachers. The study concluded that financial-administrative-related challenges poses a threat to the infrastructural and material development of the school. It was recommended among others that, the Ghana Education Directorate in Awutu Senya West District, should liaise with corporate institutions in the municipality to provide financial aid to the school as part of its corporate social responsibility.