Transition of Colleges of Education in Ghana to Tertiary Institution: Perceptions of Principals about Changes Experienced in the Colleges

Abstract

A non-experimental survey and basic interpretive study were conducted to examine the perceptions of principals of colleges of education in Ghana about change initiatives in the colleges. Data were collected from all the principals of public colleges of education through a Likert-type survey questionnaire and using a semi-structured interview protocols from a focus group. Data collected from the survey were analysed using Chi-square test of independence, while the data from the interview were put into themes and descriptions provided on the adopted change approach and targeted activities undertaken for change initiatives in the colleges. Based on the study findings, the study concluded that change initiatives in the colleges of education were predominantly in the area of establishing governance and administrative structures with focus on priority activities of developing college strategic plan, constituting functional committees of the academic board, adopting committee system for decision making, and operationalizing college governing councils. A major recommendation for practice was that the leadership of the colleges of education should consider the long-term impact of change initiatives in the colleges and adopt the reconstructive approach in executing change.