AVAILABILITY AND STATE OF SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE IN RURAL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE ASSIN NORTH MUNICIPALITY: PERCEPTIONS OF USERS

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the availability and state of infrastructure in rural senior high schools in the Assin North Municipality of the Central Region as perceived by the users of the infrastructure. The descriptive survey design approach was used for the study. A sample of 350 students, 110 teachers and 24 administrators was selected through purposive, stratified, simple random and census sampling procedures. A questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide were used for the study. Pilot test was done with respondents from Assin Nsuta senior high school which was not part of the sample for the study. The reliability obtained was 0.77. The data obtained from the questionnaire were analysed descriptively according to the research questions of the study. The recorded data were transcribed, coded and presented in themes using thematic analysis according to the research questions. The study found that in most rural senior high schools, the facilities were not adequate, not in a good state and as such need some of renovation which might not have been done in a long time. It was also found that the availability and adequacy of school infrastructure affect the teaching and learning process in senior high schools. Finally, it was found that the presence or otherwise of school facilities affects the general administration of schools. From the findings, it was recommended that the Government respond to the pleas of school administrators in rural areas to provide their schools with the necessary facilities to facilitate teaching and learning