COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE PROVISION OF QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION IN THE LAWRA DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST REGION

ABSTRACT

The study was on the participation of communities in the provision of quality basic education in the Lawra District of the Upper West Region. The study assessed the contribution communities make towards basic education delivery. Sensitization of community members towards development of the school was an area of concern. The perception on the impact of community participation in bringing quality basic education to the district was also looked at. The population covered GES personnel and traditional leaders whereas the sample was made among parents, chiefs, teachers and other stakeholders.

A questionnaire that comprises both open-ended and close-ended instruments was used for data collection. The statistical method adopted for the study was the descriptive survey design. The data were tallied using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Percentages were calculated for the summary of the various responses.

The main findings of the study were that communities in the Lawra district offer their support to improve basic education. It was also discovered that a form of sensitization forum aimed at educating communities on the need to support basic education, took place in the district.

The study made clear recommendations: Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and School Management Committee (SMC) should be revived and their contributions acknowledged. Community participation should also be strengthened. The key roles that communities are to play as stakeholders of education should be clearly outlined.