Exploration of quality leadership in the management of technical and vocational education training in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

The provision and management of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) have not received the needed attention it deserves in Ghana from its inception. Given this, the purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of TVET implementation, particularly in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study adopted the mixed-method approach (Quantitative and Qualitative) to conduct a comprehensive study that gave a clear understanding of how various stakeholders can contribute to the needed change in TVET in Ghana. Data were gathered using a questionnaire and interview guide. More so, data gathered were analysed using SPSS and Excel. The results from both qualitative and quantitative analysis confirmed that the implementation of TVET in the Eastern Region has not been effective. Specifically, the study found nine (9) prevalent challenges mitigating against the successful implementation of TVET in the study area. These challenges include the lack of adequate infrastructure in TVET institutions, poor provision of TVET consumable materials, inadequate funding in TVET institutions, poor collaboration between TVET institutions and the private sector, lack of rewards for excellence in TVET institutions, shortage of TVET teachers, inadequate raw materials/resources for carrying out practical sessions, lack of proper parenting/poor family upbringing of the students and low student enrolment in technical and vocational courses in TVET institutions. In terms of leadership styles, Principals of National Technical and Vocational Institutes (NVTI) sampled were found to use both transformational and transactional leadership styles. However, it was evident that they were more transactional than transformational. It was particularly found that most of these NVTI centres lack the needed tools and equipment to make their training more efficient. Thus, students are sometimes asked to provide their training tools which add to the already expensive nature of their training. It is however recommended that Government should assist in providing the needed tools and equipment to make their training more effective.