The study assessed the Competency-based Approach (CbA) in public universities in Anglophone Cameroon, notably the Universities of Bamenda and Buea (UBa and UB); within the framework of the Bachelor, Masters and Ph.D. (BMP/LMD) system and its implications for the Tuning Africa project. Inspired by Vygotsky’s social constructivism, Dewey’s progressivism and Fullan’s change theories, the study; was guided by three objectives, answered three research questions and tested three hypotheses. The evaluative and descriptive survey designs were applied, and with a structured questionnaire known as the Competency-Based Education Questionnaire (CBEQ), data was collected from 200 persons (staff and students) sampled using the purposive sampling technique. Applying descriptive (frequencies, mean scores and standard deviation) and inferential (Independent T-test) statistics to analyzed data, the results revealed the following: Curriculum planning/design processes in public universities under study were not reflective of CbA (UBa X̅ = 2.9010 & UB X̅ = 2.7595*) and the mean score responses of academic staff and students (3.148 & 2.703 respectively) relating to the adoption of CbA in the curriculum planning/design processes were significantly different (p<0.05) at the 0.05 significance level. Secondly, the two institutions relatively embraced CbA in their teaching-learning processes and the mean score responses from both institutions (UBa = 3.3681* & UB = 3.2354) relating to the teaching-learning processes within the framework of CbA were not significantly different (p>0.05) at the 0.05 significance level. Thirdly, students’ assessment in both institutions significantly reflected CbA (UBa = 3.9028* & UB = 3.5979) and the process in UBa appeared better than that of UB. However, the mean score responses from both universities within the framework of CbA were not significantly different (p>0.05) at the 0.05 significance level. The implication of the results for the Tuning Africa project rested on the necessity to explore possibilities of partnership between the Tuning Africa project and any of these institutions, so as to share ideas and experiences on implementing the CbA in difficult areas of HE practices, and make improvements in areas where successes are already being registered.
Purpose: This study examined school-community relationship and government secondary schools’ development in the North West Region of Cameroon. It specifically, investigated how the relationship between school leaders (principals) and the school- host communities in terms of communication and leadership attitude, determined government secondary schools’ development in Mezam Division of North West Cameroon. Methodology: A mixed method, sequential explanatory design was adopted in carrying out the study. A sample size of 230 government secondary school stakeholders – made up of 200 school-host community members and 30 school principals were sampled from four government secondary schools in using the Krejcie and Morgan table of sample size determination. A structured close-ended likert-scale questionnaire for school-host community members and interview guide for principals were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics (in the form of frequencies, percentages, charts and tables) and inferential statistics (the two-way ANOVA and Regression analysis) were used in analysing the data to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses. Finding: The regression coefficient showed that when the principal has zero school-community communication strategy, government secondary schools’ development is at 27.315. Also, when principals’ school-community communication strategy increases by one unit, government secondary schools’ development increases by 0.235. This increase is significant as indicated by F (1,198) = 17.220 with p = 0.000 (p < 0.05). The regression coefficient revealed that when the principal has zero or negative school-community leadership attitude, government secondary schools’ development is at 30.553. However, when principals’ school-community leadership attitude increases by one unit, government secondary school development increases by 0.117. This increase is significant as indicated by F (1,198) = 8.074 with p = 0.005 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: School-community communication and attitude have positive effect on government secondary schools’ development. Recommendation: The study recommend government to adopt pertinent policy measures to motivate greater and inclusive community participation in secondary schools’ development in the region. The study also recommend school leaders to offer opportunities for refreshed in-service trainings on the effective management of school-community relationship on top of creating a positive attitude and working climate with host-communities. This is important considering the critical role of school-host communities and stakeholders in not only school but educational development as a whole.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.