This study aimed to examine the pedagogical knowledge base of Religious and Moral Education teachers in assessing students’ academic performance. The research design used for this study was the correlational research design. 159 basic schools were selected to participate in the study. The population of the study comprised Religious and Moral Education (RME) teachers and second-year students in basic schools in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem Municipality in the Central Region of Ghana. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select basic schools, Religious and Moral Education (RME) teachers, and students for the study. In all one hundred and seventy-five (175) RME teachers and three hundred and fifty-seven (357) students were selected for the study. The main instruments employed in the study were questionnaires and observation. The data was analysed through the computation of frequencies, percentages, mean of means distributions, and the calculation of correlation coefficient. Pearson’s Correlational Coefficient was used to describe the linear relationship between each of the variables. This was done with the use of computer software called Statistical Product for Service Solutions (SPSS). The study concluded that teachers possessed adequate knowledge about the use of pedagogy or instructional methods when it comes to the teaching of RME. However, as observed, teachers use of the existential approach and the life theme approach only, and, teachers did not make use of the concept cracking approach to teaching RME probably because they lacked adequate information about how to use them. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment should organise in-service training for teachers to be abreast with some of these contemporary pedagogies for the teaching of RME in Basic Schools and also make modules available for use at the Colleges of Education to train our upcoming teachers at the Basic Schools.Full article

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of sex education on the sexual behaviour of adolescents in Senior and Junior High Schools in the New Juaben Municipality. A cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study are adolescents in Junior and Senior High Schools in New Juaben Municipality. A random sampling technique was used to select two-hundred and fifty (250) respondents from two Junior High Schools and two Senior High Schools in New Juaben Municipality. The main instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The study indicated that sex education (in terms of HIV/AIDS education) has had a significant influence (impact) on sexual behaviours. The positive sexual behaviours of adolescent in Junior and Senior High Schools is evident in their attitude toward premarital sex. The study also revealed that adolescents exhibited a positive attitude toward premarital sex and abstaining from sex that will make them sick or look odd in society, neither would it give them problems during intercourse when they finally marry. It is recommended that Parents should ensure that their children receive more sex education to offset the negative influences of the media. It is also recommended that Government may also consider replicating the popular nationwide Science and Mathematics quiz in the area of adolescent sexual behaviour and reproductive health in SHS and JHS to increase the awareness of students about appropriate adolescents’ sexual behaviours and reproductive health issues.Full article

The purpose of the study was to examine Carl Rogers' humanistic approach to supporting women in leadership positions to make a formed decision on how to manage the challenges they face. A qualitative approach was adopted for the study. The population of the study included fifteen (15) headmistresses and housemistresses in the Senior High Schools in the New Juaben Municipality in the Eastern Region. The purposive sampling technique was used to select schools, headmistresses and housemistresses in the schools. The schools selected were Oyoko Methodist Senior High School (OMESS), SDA Senior High School (SEDASS), Ghana Senior High School (GHANASS), Koforidua Technical Institute (KOTECH), Nana Kwaku Boateng Senior High School (OBOSS) and New Juaben Senior High School (NJUASCO). The main instruments used for data collection were a semi-structured interview guide and Reflective dialogue. Data was analysed through the use of the thematic approach. Within-case and across-case analytical technique was used to analyse the qualitative data. This was done through the identification of themes, categories and sub-categories the analytical tool for the qualitative data through interviews and reflective dialogue (RD). Themes that were extracted from the interview corresponding to Carl Rogers' humanistic person-centred) the approach were; inherent potentialities, support, motivation, power relation, INSET, cultural dimension, and guidance and counselling. The study revealed that women face challenges using inadequate school facilities they do their best possible to manage their challenges with the few facilities available, the introduction of Carl Rogers' intervention, and women became more aware of their potential in managing the challenges they face at work in their leadership positions. It is recommended that guidance programmes should be conducted often to inform both teachers and students about the potential of women. It has also emerged that women leaders do not know who they are and therefore they should undergo counselling in order to be self-actualised.Full article

The purpose of the study was to assess the perceptions and challenges facing in the implementation process of the IN-IN-OUT programme in selected colleges of education in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed as the research design in this study. The population was made up of supervisors, mentors, and mentees from St. Louis and Wesley Colleges of education who have been posted to various communities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to practice teaching. Purposive and random Sampling techniques were used to select tutors, teacher-trainees, mentors and assemblymen in the practicing communities. The study's main data collection tools were questionnaires and interview and classroom observation protocols. The data collected were scored and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) computer software. Frequencies, percentages, and other measures of central tendencies were calculated. The study revealed that teacher-trainees, mentors, and assemblymen in the two (2) communities saw the IN-IN-OUT programme as useful to a large extent, even though they had varied opinions. While some say the program was merely useful, some see it as very useful and others saw the program as extremely useful. The study also revealed that the challenges faced by the various teacher trainees, mentors, and supervisors include social problems, financial difficulties, and time constraints. It is recommended that teacher trainees are posted to the rural and peri-urban communities, one can be sure that after their certification they will be fully prepared to face the challenges ahead of them. It is also recommended that the government and stakeholders should as a matter of urgency commit more money to this programme.Full article

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of instructional materials in teaching and learning biology in the Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. Qualitatively, a case study research design was selected for the study. The population of the study consists of three Biology tutors in the three Colleges of Education in the Central Region. The purposive sampling technique was chosen to select all the three colleges and three Biology tutors for the study. The interview guide was the main instrument for the data collection. Data were analysed using the interpretative technique based on the themes arrived at during the data collection from the respondents. The study concluded that instructional materials boast students’ cognitive abilities and arouse their interest in the lesson by helping them to reason critically during teaching and learning. The study also revealed that the competencies level of tutors helps them in the assessment of the subject, selecting relevant materials for each concept. Their pedagogical skills depend on their competencies in the classroom instructions. The study also concluded that a good presentation of a lesson has a substantial impact on teaching and learning situations, as well as the vast amount of information available to students, to supplement their instruction and the principles for appropriate use of instructional materials. It is recommended that professional development should be organised for the Biology tutors in their respective colleges to have competencies in using relevant instructional materials in assessing students in Biology lessons. It is also recommended that Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (G-TEC), National Teaching Council (NTC), and universities should collaborate with the colleges to organise workshops and seminars for tutors teaching Biology to update their knowledge in the use of digital instructional materials in lesson presentation.Full article