ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION ON LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE OF PUPILS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS. A CASE STUDY OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN KWADASO CIRCUIT, ASHANTI REGION.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of monitoring and evaluation on learning and performance within Kwadaso circuit, with a focus on the pupil’s in the schools. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the challenges JHS within Kwadaso District face in monitoring and evaluating on learning, evaluate the extent to which financial resources influence the implementation, evaluate the extent to which human capacity influence the implementation of monitoring and evaluation and to examine the effects of monitoring and evaluation on the performance of students in JHS. A case study design was used and both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were employed. The respondents comprised pupils, teachers and head teachers of schools within the circuit. The study targeted 99 teachers and head teachers, and 526 pupils as participant but 87 of teachers and head teachers and 485 of pupils returned the questionnaires. A purposive sampling technique was used to select some of the respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using correlation and percentages while qualitative data was analyze using content analysis. In responding to the issue of challenges affecting monitoring and evaluation in schools, the three most dominated factors enumerated by respondents were poor existence of monitoring and evaluation systems in schools, lack of adequate funds to deal with monitoring and evaluation and lack of training facilities for teachers and head teacher to equip their skills on how to effectively deal with monitoring and evaluation. It is therefore concluded that, monitoring and evaluation in school setting is a crucial activity undertaken to ensure that goals are achieved. The study recommended that there should be adequate, well planned budget to cater for M & E in schools, GES to organize adequate training for teachers and head teachers on best practices towards vii monitoring and evaluation in schools and government of Ghana should prioritize the need for effective monitoring and evaluation systems in schools.