THE ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS BODIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE EASTERN REGION OF GHANA

ABSTRACT The study investigated the role of religious bodies in the development of education in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The sample for the study was made up of Regional Director of Education; Municipal/District Directors of Education, Unit Managers of Mission Schools and Heads of Religious Bodies in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Questionnaire was developed to solicit for information from the respondents. The questionnaire was pilot tested in the Central Region of Ghana. The data collected were analysed using Statistics Products and Service Solutions (SPSS 16). Frequency counts and percentages were used for all the items on the survey. Results from the study indicate that religious bodies through their Unit Managers made known to the Regional Director of Education the problems of teachers and heads of mission schools. Religious bodies have helped to improve access to education in the Eastern Region and encouraged communities to participate in educational delivery. The study further revealed that funding and inadequate training programmes for unit managers are among the major challenges that impede effective management practices. The study recommends that, the role of regional managers of mission schools should be clearly stated within the educational laws to avoid role conflict between District Directors of Education and Regional Managers of mission schools. Non-Governmental Organsations and other stakeholders should support the schools financially. These recommendations should be implemented by the Ghana Education Service