Quality Control for Effective Basic Education in Ghana

Abstract

This study adopted the qualitative research approach with observation and interviewing to examine the policy and practice of school inspection in the Ghanaian school system and its implications for raising standards in basic education. The study revealed that inspection is an integral part of Ghana's educational system yet the system of monitoring schools is governed by an “evolving" policy. It emerged that the Ghana Education Service has inadequate inspection personnel; schools assigned to inspectors are too many; and, transportation problems prevent inspectors from paying regular visits to schools. This has led to a kind of teacher culture where everyone gets by with the minimum; general teaching ineffectiveness; and low pupil learning achievement. Augmenting the numbers and equipping inspectors with the requisite logistics will promote effective monitoring towards quality basic education.