ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The challenges of Information and Communication Technology on teachers performance a case study of some selected Senior High Schools In Kwabre East Municipality

This study aimed at examining the challenges of ICT on teachers’ performance in some selected Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region. A cross-sectional study design was used with quantitative method of data collection. Questionnaires were used to collect data randomly from the teachers of the various schools. Descriptive statistical data analysis was done and results presented in tables, charts and text. The coefficient of reliability score was 0.803. The findings established that teachers have positive attitude towards ICT usage since majority (45.1%) often used ICT. Again, most of them (66.5%) used ICT for research and (67.4%) felt good using ICT. Challenges facing the use of ICT in the schools included inadequate computers (34.3%), no educational software for teaching (27.5%) and lack of reliable supply of electricity (11.2%). The study concludes that teachers have positive attitude towards information and communication technology and also improves on teachers’ performance. The study recommends that support and funding should be provided by the government to fund ICT projects in Senior High Schools. Also appropriate enlightenment, educative programs and proper channels should be made available to the various departments and not only science labs of the schools to improve ICT. Information Technology Steering Committee should be established by the school to take charge of affairs regarding acquisition of computers and implementation of ICT in the schools.

Source: UEW
The challenges of information and communication technology on teachers’ performance (a case study of some selected senior high schools in Kwabre East Municipality

This study aimed at examining the challenges of ICT on teachers’ performance in some selected Senior High Schools in the Ashanti Region. A cross-sectional study design was used with quantitative method of data collection. Questionnaires were used to collect data randomly from the teachers of the various schools. Descriptive statistical data analysis was done and results presented in tables, charts and text. The coefficient of reliability score was 0.803. The findings established that teachers have positive attitude towards ICT usage since majority (45.1%) often used ICT. Again, most of them (66.5%) used ICT for research and (67.4%) felt good using ICT. Challenges facing the use of ICT in the schools included inadequate computers (34.3%), no educational software for teaching (27.5%) and lack of reliable supply of electricity (11.2%). The study concludes that teachers have positive attitude towards information and communication technology and also improves on teachers’ performance. The study recommends that support and funding should be provided by the government to fund ICT projects in Senior High Schools. Also appropriate enlightenment, educative programs and proper channels should be made available to the various departments and not only science labs of the schools to improve ICT. Information Technology Steering Committee should be established by the school to take charge of affairs regarding acquisition of computers and implementation of ICT in the schools.

Source: UEW
Challenges of integrating ict in teaching and learning in three selected senior high schools in prang district, bono east region, Ghana

The use of ICT has impacted to some extent on almost every facet of our daily activities be it health, education, sports etc. Children of today grow up with an array of technology, both at home and at school. Educators and governments have also devoted huge resources to the provision of technology in the learning environment. Despite the increase in ICT tools in Ghanaian Senior High schools, most of the schools seem to be teaching ICT literacy instead of a complete integration of the ICT tools in the curriculum to enhance the teaching and learning process. The author of this study therefore, unravelled the challenges of ICT integration in selected Senior High Schools in the Prang District, Bono East Region. Positivist paradigm was adopted for the study. Cross-sectional survey design was employed. The study population comprised all SHS teachers in the Prang District of Bono East Region of Ghana. The target population consists all public SHS teachers in the Prang District of Bono East Region of Ghana whilst the accessible population consisted all teachers in Abeaseman Community Day SHS, Prang SHS and Yeji SHS. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to select one hundred and seventeen teachers for the study. Structured questionnaire was the instrument used in gathering data. Cronbach alpha formula was employed to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. Data were analyzed using SPSS by using frequency charts, frequency counts, and simple percentages. It was found that barriers hindering the integration of ICT in the schools were lack of teacher training and inadequate ICT facilities. It was also found that the teachers‟ are capable of performing basic tasks using the computer and also exhibit positive attitudes toward it but the lack of ICT facilities was their major problem. It is suggested that ICT infrastructure should be provided to the Senior High Schools in Prang District for effective teaching and learning process since it is the basic stage of equipping the youth with the necessary skills and knowledge for national development. In addition, within Senior High Schools in Prang District should be given the necessary training in ICT tools usage so that they become familiar with contemporary pedagogy of imparting knowledge and skills, and possibly become part of curriculum structure for their professional training.

Source: UEW
Challenges of learners in the esl classroom the case of hearing-impaired students in st. john’s integrated shts

The challenges faced by hearing-impaired learners in an integrated ESL classroom far outweighs that of their hearing peers. The focus of this study was to investigate the specific factors which contribute to the myriad of challenges faced by the hearing-impaired learners in St. John’s Integrated Senior High/Technical School. Focus group discussion was used to obtain data from six hearing-impaired learners of English and a qualitative analysis of transcribed data from the respondents were employed to arrive at the study’s main findings and conclusions. It emerged from the analysis of the data that: hearing-impaired students are confronted with diverse linguistic challenges in English language classes, ranging from struggles in spoken and written expression to difficulties in grammar, reading comprehension, essays, literature, and figurative language; The hearing-impaired learners lack specialized tools to aid their language learning; Interpreters play a vital role in bridging a communication gap between hearing-impaired learners and their teachers, yet challenges persist in their skill levels and availability; Teacher contributions vary, with concerns about communication breakdowns and deviations from subject timetables; The classroom environment elicits mixed perspectives, emphasizing difficulties in reading, comprehension, and grammar. Overall, these experiences underscore the need for tailored support, inclusive practices, and alternative communication methods in English language classrooms for hearing-impaired students.

Source: UEW
Challenges of music and dance students in St. Francis college of education Hohoe

This research work is prompted by the need to investigate into the factors militating against students’ performance in Music and Dance in the St. Francis College of Education in Ghana. The general objective of the study was to identify how challenges faced by Music and Dance students of St. Francis College of Education should be addressed. The descriptive survey method was used for the study. The researcher also employed a qualitative sampling technique of purposive sampling to select his sample size of seventeen (17) student-teachers. The Major finding identified in the study was that students of St. Francis College of Education, Hohoe had various challenges in music and dance. It came out later that the challenges were due to lack of resources and logistics, curricular challenges and lack of institution-induced challenges. It was suggested the college is provided with facility to facilitate practical music lessons. It was also recommended that the Government of Ghana should make provisions for appropriate teaching and learning materials to enhance effective teaching and learning of the subject. In the absence, teachers are encouraged to improvise teaching and learning materials from the environment for their lessons.

Source: UEW
Challenges of restaurants in the Bolgatanga Metropolis of the Upper East Region of Ghana

The restaurants in Bolgatanga Metropolis and Ghana as a whole, contribute to the national tourism performance in several such as provision of food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and, employment. Despite these contributions, the industry is bedevilled with many challenges that hinder their development. For this, the research seeks to assess the challenges restaurants operation face in the tourism industry in Bolgatanga Metropolis. In achieving this the research made use of purposive sampling method and selected a sample size of fifty (50) where questionnaires are used to gather primary information from the respondents while secondary data was from scholarly articles, reference books, the web and other research works. The data was analysed using frequency tables, charts and percentiles. The analysis as revealed that 50% of the respondents strongly agreed and 40% agreed that access to financial is a challenge. Some of the challenges that were also revealed from the data include; promotion and advertisement, management, support from the tourism industry, high prices of consumables, keeping complete daily inventory records and getting permanent staff workers. the also shows that the tourism industry is supportive in terms of promotion and advertisement as 32% of the respondents scale the support 5 out of 5 and 40% rated 4 out of 5. With these challenges, the study also revealed that about 100% of the respondents agreed that customer satisfaction contribute to the smooth operation of the restaurant and that the business has potentials to develop when the challenges are addressed. The study recommend that restaurants operators as well as culinary food tourism practitioners should be supported financially in-terms of loans, free training etc to assist them to expand their business.

Source: UEW
Challenges of small scale furniture industry in the Sunyani municipal assembly of Ghana

This research was aimed at examining the performance of small scale furniture industry in Ghana. The objectives that guided the research were to find out the challenges associated with sourcing of fund by small scale furniture companies, the challenges associated with obtaining raw materials by small scale furniture companies, the technology used by the small scale furniture companies and marketing challenges of small scale furniture companies in Ghana. The study used cross-sectional of descriptive survey design to purposively sampled 200 small scale wood/furniture worker in Sunyani Municipality. The major findings were; convenience and accessibility, overall quality of service, time to process application, business terms and conditions, relation with account manager and less documentation required as the challenges of sourcing funds. With regard to the challenge in obtaining the traditional wood for products, findings revealed per the analysis that, getting of quality wood came first with the mean score of 5.43, followed by securing permit to bring bush cuts to the workshop with the mean score value of 5.31. Transportation of raw material to the workshop was third with the mean score value of 4.80 while least forth position was inaccessible kilns to season wood with the mean score value of 4.52. The study revealed by majority 86(46%) agreement they use both portable machine and simple hand tools. The high mean score of 3.80, 3.35, 3.23 and 3.31 indicating restrictive attitude towards technology dissemination, reliance on the infrastructural support, pool manufacturing practices and working conditions and development of indigenous technological skill and know-how respectively were found to be the major challenges the respondents faced in technology application in furniture industry. Study finding also records the respondents’ views that my products are made only for the local market and very quality, I don’t know how to export my products, I supply my products to schools, hospital and offices and I produce my products to the taste of the local people. Finally, the study found transporting products outside the country the security harassment is too much, export duty challenges, unavailability of space to showcase my products and financial constraints as the challenges in marketing furniture products.

Source: UEW
Challenges of Students under co-supervisors at the department of a university in Ghana

Despite the numerous studies conducted on supervision, there is a lack of qualitative investigations focused on understanding the intricacies of the co-supervisory relationship experienced by M.Phil. students at the department of a university in Ghana. Therefore, this study aimed to critically examine the challenges faced by students under two supervisors and explore how these obstacles hinder the success of postgraduate research students. Employing a phenomenological research design, the study focuses on M.Phil. students and utilizes focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews as data collection tools. The sample consists of 27 participants, including 24 past M.Phil. students who completed their theses between 2011/2012 and 2016/2017 academic sessions, as well as three supervisors with at least five years of co-supervisory experience in the department. The findings revealed that students have a diminished desire for co-supervision due to a lack of proper mentorship and the controversies surrounding it. Communication breakdowns, power dynamics among supervisors, delayed feedback, conflicting advice, blurred lines of responsibility, low commitment levels from both supervisors and students, intellectual disagreements among supervisors (particularly regarding methodology in chapter three), and difficulties in data analysis and report writing in chapter four were among the major factors contributing to negative co-supervisory experiences reported by the participating students. To address these issues, students propose the implementation of innovative methods for coordinating co-supervision within the department. They also emphasise the importance of students’ commitment to their work and the development of effective strategies for managing any differences that may arise between them and their supervisors. In light of these findings, the study recommends that the School of Graduate Studies urgently establish measures to improve the co-supervisory experience for M.Phil. students.

Source: UEW
Challenges of Students under Co-Supervisors at the Department of a University in Ghana

Despite the numerous studies conducted on supervision, there is a lack of qualitative investigations focused on understanding the intricacies of the co-supervisory relationship experienced by M.Phil. students at the department of a university in Ghana. Therefore, this study aimed to critically examine the challenges faced by students under two supervisors and explore how these obstacles hinder the success of postgraduate research students. Employing a phenomenological research design, the study focuses on M.Phil. students and utilizes focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews as data collection tools. The sample consists of 27 participants, including 24 past M.Phil. students who completed their theses between 2011/2012 and 2016/2017 academic sessions, as well as three supervisors with at least five years of co-supervisory experience in the department. The findings revealed that students have a diminished desire for co-supervision due to a lack of proper mentorship and the controversies surrounding it. Communication breakdowns, power dynamics among supervisors, delayed feedback, conflicting advice, blurred lines of responsibility, low commitment levels from both supervisors and students, intellectual disagreements among supervisors (particularly regarding methodology in chapter three), and difficulties in data analysis and report writing in chapter four were among the major factors contributing to negative co-supervisory experiences reported by the participating students. To address these issues, students propose the implementation of innovative methods for coordinating co-supervision within the department. They also emphasise the importance of students’ commitment to their work and the development of effective strategies for managing any differences that may arise between them and their supervisors. In light of these findings, the study recommends that the School of Graduate Studies urgently establish measures to improve the co-supervisory experience for M.Phil. students

Source: UEW
Challenges of teaching and learning biology in selected Senior High Schools in the Eastern Region, Ghana

This study examined the challenges associated with teaching and learning biology across selected schools in the Eastern Region, Ghana. Data were obtained from 26 biology teachers and 450 students across the schools. The questionnaire served as the primary tool, but an interview guide and checklist for observations were also used. With guidance from the research supervisor, the content validity of the primary instrument was established. The 90 public senior high schools in the Eastern Region made up the target population. Using stratified random sampling methods, 16 senior high schools from the assessible population were selected for the study. These schools are in six districts namely New Juaben North, New Juaben South, Upper Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, Akwapim North and Akwapim South Districts. Thematic analysis was employed for qualitative data while SPSS was used for quantitative data analysis. Findings from the study reveal some key challenges. The thematic analysis revealed challenges with the availability of resources, the emphasis on theoretical instruction, engagement and interest of students in subject and teacher related issues. Suggestions for addressing these challenges included the provision of resources, orientation with regards to instructional methods, teacher motivation among others. This paper represents an insightful reference for stakeholders with regards to the nature of the challenges biology education in senior high schools encounters and how these can be remedied.

Source: UEW
Challenges of teaching traditional music in Ghanaian schools study of three selected private schools in Kasoa

The main goal of this work is investigating the challenges of teaching traditional music in Ghanaian schools. It focused on the interest of students in traditional music, the attitude of teachers in the teaching of traditional music, and looked at the content and methodology, and then the materials and musical instruments used to teach traditional music. The study used the qualitative research paradigm. The research method used for the research is the case study. The study involved three selected private schools in Kasoa namely: Young Executive School, Little Rock Academy and Father’s Legacy International School. The study population was all the private schools in Kasoa. The accessible population involved fifty students and three teachers of these three selected private schools. The instruments used were interview and observation. The research revealed the following challenges: traditional music is not taught very often in these private schools; the attitude of the students to traditional music was negative; there were few inadequate traditional musical resources found in these schools; and there were absence of instructional materials-books and music manuscripts in these schools. It was recommended that adequate traditional musical resources be provided in these schools; there should be provision of instructional materials; traditional music should be taught very often and every effort should be made by the heads and teachers of these schools in order to win students’ interest to traditional music.

Source: UEW
Challenges of the fugu (smock) production industry in the Upper East Region of Ghana

In Ghana's Upper East Region, the smock (fugu) industry employs both educated and uneducated people. Despite many announcements by successive governments to help improve the sector, it continues to face several obstacles. As a result, the aim of this paper is to reveal some of the issues and problems encountered by the industry. The study was carried out in the Upper East region of Ghana; Bolgatanga Municipal, Bongo District, and Kassena-Nankana Municipal. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect information for the survey. A total of 90 producers and 75 marketers were surveyed in this study. The study discovered that the industry of smock weaving and stitching faces several machinery problems. Many fugu production centres lack the necessary facilities to accommodate all apprentices. Additionally, because markets are scarce at places where the fugu fabrics are sewn into smocks, marketing the goods becomes difficult. As a result, the study suggests that the Assemblies offer the necessary help to the producers, and this can take any form, being it festivals and markets, as well as loans to help them display their goods and buy more yarns.

Source: UEW
Challenges of using ICT tools in teaching social studies in Nakolo Junior High School in the Paga East Circuit of the Kassena Nankana West District

The purpose of the study was to assess the benefits and challenges of using ICT tools in teaching Social Studies in Nakolo Junior High School in the Paga East Circuit of the Kassena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana. This study used a case study design. Quantitative research approach was used. The population for the study was eighty five (85) teachers in the Nakolo Junior High School in the Paga East Circuit of the Kassena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Census method was used to select eighty five (85) respondents for the study. Questionnaire was the main instrument used to gather primary data. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data. The study results indicate that 84.3% of the respondents agreed that they find it easy to adapt to changes that the introduction of new ICT software use to bring in their teaching and learning. Also, 84.3% of the respondents agreed that teachers are able to use new ICT introductions in their teaching of the subjects without much difficulty. The study findings indicate that, 86.8% of the respondents agreed that the use of practical teaching methods can improve students skills in ICT subject. The study findings highlighted 95.1% of the respondents agreed that inadequate teaching and learning materials or computers and accessories for practical demonstration ICT lessons is a challenge teachers face in implementing ICT curricula. The study concluded that, inadequate ICT teachers’ competencies and necessary skills in ICT subjects affected students’ academic performance. The study recommended that the government through the GES should procure the necessary ICT infrastructure for their schools to enable the teachers and students benefit maximally in the ongoing technological development and ICT contribution in educational advancement.

Source: UEW