Ghana Education Service

This study examined the effect of molecular model kits on senior high school students’ conceptual understanding and perceptions of balancing chemical equations. A quasi-experimental design was employed, involving an experimental group instructed using molecular model kits and a control group taught through conventional instructional methods. Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess students’ conceptual understanding and perceptions of balancing chemical equations. Independent samples t-tests revealed no significant difference between the groups on pre-test scores, confirming baseline equivalence. However, post-test results revealed that students in the experimental group (M = 20.26, SD = 6.36) performed significantly better than those in the control group (M = 18.70, SD = 5.44), t(58) = 2.37, p = .012, indicating a statistically significant positive effect of molecular model use on conceptual understanding. Similarly, students in the experimental group reported significantly more positive perceptions (M = 3.10, SD = 0.54) than those in the control group (M = 2.70, SD = 0.45), t(58) = 1.69, p = .045. These findings suggest that molecular model kits enhance students’ understanding and engagement by supporting meaningful connections among the macroscopic, microscopic, and symbolic representations of chemical phenomena. The study highlights the pedagogical value of incorporating visual and tactile instructional strategies in chemistry education to promote conceptual understanding and positive learner perceptions.

Abstract Background The phenomenon of child begging has emerged as a visible and deeply troubling aspect of urban poverty worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Rooted in chronic child poverty and economic insecurity, this practice disproportionately affects vulnerable children. Although several studies have examined child begging in Ghana, few have examined children’s perspectives, and even fewer have focused exclusively on children’s perceptions of street begging. This study examines the experiences of child street beggars in inner-city Accra, Ghana, focusing on their living and sleeping arrangements, daily activities, and future aspirations. Methods This study used secondary qualitative data of 46 child street beggars in Accra. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to capture children’s narratives and experiences. Results Findings reveal that some child street beggars lived with their parents, while others lived with peers, siblings, or alone. Child street beggars living conditions were characterised by housing insecurity, poor sanitation, and heightened exposure to abuse. Despite these challenges, many child street beggars expressed aspirations to return to school, acquire vocational skills, or achieve economic self-reliance. Conclusions The study underscores the need for comprehensive, child-centred interventions that address structural poverty, strengthen child protection systems, and expand access to education and vocational training. Incorporating children’s voices is essential for developing effective and humane policy responses to child begging in urban Ghana.

Purpose: The nuances between size systems and ideal body figures among fashion consumers play a pivotal role in the fashion industry, influencing both apparel production and the complex decisions consumers face. This study aimed to examine the impact of body image perception on size selection, brand preference, and overall shopping experiences, and how size-inclusivity initiatives shape these behaviours in Ghana. Methodology/Design: A group-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 238 respondents, both male and female, aged 18–60, who are in active service on the main campuses of 3 universities in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Using a Quantitative approach, analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and correlations to measure relationships between senior members of these public universities and other variables. Findings: Key findings revealed a strong relationship between body image satisfaction and clothing size selection, influencing both consumer and retailer behaviour. Individuals with a negative body image often engage in compensatory purchasing behaviours, whereas those with a positive body image demonstrate more flexibility in size choices. Additionally, retailers that incorporate size diversity in their marketing strategies receive more favourable responses from consumers across the body image spectrum. Practical and Social Implications: The research underscores the growing need for size inclusivity, highlighting its impact on consumer loyalty and market share. Hence, the fashion industry addresses body image issues proactively by incorporating customer feedback to enhance satisfaction and promote more sustainable purchasing practices of RTW garments. Originality: There is a deep connection between body image perception and customer behaviour in the ready-to-wear garment sector, yet this relationship remains understudied in the Ghanaian context. While other studies investigate the various subjects in isolation, this study looks at the psychological dimensions of body image perception, in relation to certain consumer behaviours, mostly garment size preferences, within the framework of ready-to-wear.

In response to growing concerns about pupil well-being and mental health in test-driven classrooms, this study examined how integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies into classroom assessment promotes holistic development in Ghanaian basic schools. Using a pre-test/post-test control group design, data were collected from 360 pupils aged 10–15 years across six public schools in urban, peri-urban, and rural settings. Participants were randomly assigned to either an SEL-integrated assessment group (n = 180) or a control group (n = 180). Standardized instruments the MHC–SF, SEI, CD-RISC-10, and DASS-21 were administered to measure well-being, engagement, resilience, and mental health outcomes. Results showed that pupils in the SEL group recorded significant gains in overall well-being (F(1, 357) = 15.62, p < .001) and academic engagement (F(1, 357) = 18.74, p < .001), with medium-to-large effect sizes (η² = 0.08–0.09). They also exhibited higher resilience scores (F(1, 357) = 10.45, p = .001) and reduced symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression (F(1, 357) = 12.78, p < .001). Regression analysis indicated that SEL exposure significantly predicted improved well-being (β = 0.42, p < .001), while resilience moderated the relationship between SEL and better mental health (β = − 0.31, p = .004). These findings demonstrate that embedding SEL competencies into classroom assessment can strengthen pupils’ emotional stability, engagement, and coping capacity. The study advocates for teacher training and policy reforms to align assessment practices with holistic education goals under SDG 4.7.

This study investigated the adoption of ICT by administrators in Ghanaian colleges of education, highlighting opportunities and challenges, using a convergent mixed-method design. Ten colleges were purposively selected, and 65 administrators were randomly sampled for quantitative data via structured questionnaires. For the qualitative phase, 15 administrators were purposively chosen for in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Findings indicate that ICT is commonly used for record-keeping and communication, but more advanced applications such as data analysis, performance monitoring, and lesson planning are limited. Administrators reported moderate ICT proficiency, with notable disparities between rural and urban colleges. Qualitative insights revealed that ICT enhances productivity and supports evidence-based decision-making, yet challenges persist, including inadequate infrastructure, unreliable internet, limited budgets, and resistance to change. Overall, ICT adoption in Ghanaian educational institutions remains in its early stages but shows potential for growth. Recommendations include targeted professional development, equitable infrastructure provision, sustainable financing, and stronger policy alignment. Addressing these gaps could transform ICT from a routine administrative tool into a strategic asset for educational improvement. The study contributes to the broader discourse on ICT integration in African higher education and offers practical guidance for policymakers, institutional leaders, and curriculum developers.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different composting methods (bucket, heap, and pit) and application rates (5, 10, and 15 t/ha), as well as un-composted poultry manure, on the growth, yield, and nutritional quality of carrot across two agro-ecological locations in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Study Design: A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications was used. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Adanwomase Senior High School Research Farm in the Kwabre East District and the AAMUSTED Research Field at Asante Mampong Campus from January to August 2022. Methodology: The experiment included 13 treatments: three composting methods (bucket, heap, pit), un-composted poultry manure, and a control, each applied at 5, 10, and 15 t/ha. Compost was prepared according to each method, while poultry manure was applied raw. Treatments were incorporated into the soil before sowing carrot seeds. Data collected covered soil nutrients, microbial counts, vegetative growth, yield components, and root nutritional composition. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, with means separated using LSD for microbial and nutritional analyses, and Tukey’s HSD for growth and yield traits at 5% significance. It integrates soil, plant, and microbial indicators to assess the sustainability and effectiveness of organic soil management practices compared with raw manure and no-input control. Results: Application of compost and poultry manure significantly enhanced soil fertility, carrot growth, and root yield. Heap compost supplied the highest levels of major nutrients (N, P, K), while bucket compost provided higher micronutrients (Fe, Cu) and exhibited the greatest microbial activity. The plant height increased with higher application rates, particularly at 15 t/ha. The highest root yields were recorded with 15 t/ha bucket compost, followed by poultry manure and heap compost, with the control producing the lowest yield. Carrot roots from amended plots also had improved nutritional quality, notably in ash, carbohydrate, calcium, fibre, and iron contents. Conclusion: The bucket compost at 15 t/ha produced the highest yields, while the heap compost provided the greatest major nutrient levels.

This study adopts a qualitative approach to explore parents’ perceptions of the current Ghanaian language in education policy and their preference for a language of instruction in KG. A suitable sample size of 96 parents for the exploratory research was obtained through a multistage sampling technique. Participants were interviewed. The data from the semi-structured interviews were analysed using thematic coding. The study found that parents do not deny the importance of Ghanaian languages in education. Still, they fear that its use as the main language of instruction may lead to poor development of literacy skills in English, the official language in Ghana. This shows a mismatch between parents’ perceptions and preferences for a language of instruction and the rationale of the current Ghanaian language in education policy. The study recommended that curriculum planners and policymakers should consider re-introducing the English language as the main language of instruction in KG, supported by Ghanaian languages, and re-focus the KG curriculum on the development of foundational English literacy skills as per the rationale of the 2007 educational reforms.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu/0120/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Despite the acknowledged importance of effective leadership in driving school improvement and enhancing student outcomes, limited empirical research focuses specifically on teachers' perceptions of leadership behaviour in the Ada East District (AED). This study aimed to explore teacher perceptions of leadership behaviours in basic schools in the AED. A descriptive survey design was used to describe and interpret leadership behaviour and teachers’ effectiveness. The target population for this study consisted of all teachers in basic schools in AED. From the target population, a sample of 96 teachers was selected from the 12 selected basic schools. A simple random sampling technique was employed to choose all 96 teachers of the public basic schools in Ada Basic School. A questionnaire was used to gather data from the teachers. The study revealed that teachers in the basic schools of the AED perceive a strong presence of instructional, curriculum, professional, transformational, and transactional leadership behaviours. The study found that the leadership behaviour of headteachers has a positive and significant impact (p = .000 &lt; .01) on teachers' effectiveness. The study concluded that leadership behaviour accounts for 27.6% of the impact on teacher effectiveness. The Ghana Education Service was recommended to develop and implement professional development programs tailored explicitly for headteachers. Again, the Ministry of Education should reform educational policies to include specific guidelines and expectations for headteachers' leadership behaviours.

The health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 have welcomed the introduction of technology into healthcare delivery, desalinating the accessibility to healthcare delivery. With the recent outbreak of the COVID-19, telehealth services have been the preferred means of service delivery to a wider population in settings where the physician-to-patient ratio is low. The study's objective is to investigate the principles, trends and challenges of using telehealth services for acute disease management in some hospitals within the Greater Accra region of Ghana. A cross-sectional, descriptive quantitative study was conducted among healthcare professionals across four government health facilities in the Greater Accra Region: Ada East District Hospital, Weija Gbawe Municipal Hospital, Oblogo Health Centre, and LEKMA Hospital. A structured questionnaire grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework was administered using a simple random sampling technique. A total of 439 participants, representing approximately 70% of the eligible population (n = 628), who actively use electronic health records systems, were recruited. Data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with STATA Version 15 and SPSS Version 23. In a cohort of 439 healthcare professionals surveyed, the majority fell within the 21-40 age range, and women made up nearly 60% of the participants. Most respondents held a bachelor's degree, with nurses, medical officers, and physician assistants forming the largest professional groups. Telehealth services were primarily used through phone calls, while fewer professionals used video conferencing or store-and-forward technologies. Overall, the frequency of telehealth service use was low, with many reporting that they used it rarely or only occasionally. The most common purpose for telehealth consultations was general care, followed by patient education and a smaller share for surgical consultations. Confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable model fit supporting the validity of the measurement framework. The study found that healthcare professionals' satisfaction with telehealth services was most strongly influenced by how useful they perceived it to be. Telehealth services that were easier to use not only increased user satisfaction but also enhanced the perceived value of the tools. Interestingly, those who perceived higher levels of risk still tended to find the systems useful, although their overall satisfaction was slightly lower. Changes within healthcare organizations also had mixed effects, lowering perceptions of usefulness in some cases but slightly improving satisfaction. These findings suggest that strengthening system support, infrastructure, and aligning telehealth tools with clinical tasks can significantly encourage adoption in settings with limited resources.