Teachers’ Perceptions and Attitudes on the Double-Track Educational System: A Case Study from Upper Denkyira East Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Undoubtedly, the implementation of the free Senior High School (SHS) policy has resulted in a rise in student enrollment. In fact, the free SHS policy provides educational opportunities to children whose guardians and parents cannot afford school fees, otherwise they would not have been able to continue their education. The purpose of the study was to assess teachers’ perceptions and attitudes on Double-Track Educational System (DTES) in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality. Methods: The target population for the study was 178 teachers in the two Senior High Schools in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality. A descriptive study design using quantitative data collection methods involving 124 teachers. The researchers used questionnaire as the data collection instrument. The lottery method of the simple random sampling technique was used to select the 124 teachers for this study because it allowed participants equal probability of selection and thus avoided bias.Data were analysed using SPSS version 20 software (SPSS). Results: The data were presented using frequencies, tables and texts. Statistical significance for all testing was set as 0.05. A significant proportion of the teachers (72%) had information on the double-track system from the media. Majority had no idea or understood the double-track system which was statistically significant. Significant proportion of the teachers had good attitude towards the implementation of the double-track system. Conclusions/Recommendations: The study concludes that government should continue with the implementation of the DTES. Perception on DTES was poor among the respondents however, most teachers had good attitude towards the implementation of DTES. Government, Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service must continue with their education on DTES and further extend it to the churches and the mosque in the Municipality.