THE STATE OF THE SCHOOL PLANT AND ITS IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN BRONG-AHAFO REGION OF GHANA

Daniel YELKPIERI - Research fellow at the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. 
Email: dannyelkpieri@yahoo.com

Abstract
Education is often described as the hub of development in any society and must be given the needed attention. However, the state of the school plant speaks volumes of the seemingly neglect that some of the schools have to contend with. This study sought to investigate the state of the school plant and its effects on teaching and learning in the schools. The researcher used a descriptive survey design. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were employed in selecting teachers and headmasters respectively for the study. A sample size of 210 was selected for the study. The instruments used were questionnaires, structured interview, observation and inspection. In all, the study involved 210 respondents. The study revealed that respondents were of the opinions that apart from the central government the churches/ missions contribute to the provision and maintenance of school infrastructure. The study found out that schools in the Brong-Ahafo Region were not well equipped in terms of library books and materials, furniture, textbooks and infrastructure. General sanitation was another problem of some of the schools.  On the basis of the findings the study made some recommendations:

1. There is the need for stakeholders such as District Assemblies, Parent-Teachers Associations (PTAs), churches, and old students associations to establish endowment funds for the maintenance and expansion of school facilities.
2.  The central government should solicit assistance from its development partners and donor agencies to raise funds to provide decent bungalows for staff.
3.  There is the need to intensify the teaching and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in these schools.