COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROVISION OF BASIC EDUCATION IN THE NEW JUABEN MUNICIPALITY

ABSTRACT Community participation in the provision of basic education was given government backing as a means of bringing the school and the community closer. By this the community was expected to compliment government’s effort in the provision of basic education in the communities. A descriptive survey was used to investigate community participation in the provision of basic education in the New Juaben municipality. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to collect data for the study. A total of 170 respondents comprises headteachers, teachers, circuit supervisors and community members, chiefs, SMCs and PTAs answered the questionnaires. The study revealed that there was awareness in the municipality about the need for communities to participate in the provision of basic education. There were kinds of relationship between the schools and communities. Communities provided the schools with some financial and material support and also take part in school governance. The SMCs and PTAs served as the main channel of communication between the school and the communities. It is recommended from the study that communities should do well to perform their roles towards the development of education. Again, the schools and teachers should share in the social life of the communities.