University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, KUMASI THE LOW ENROLMENT OF TECHNICAL COURSES AT THE SENIOR HIGH/TECHNICAL SCHOOLS IN THE UPPER WEST REGION: A CASE STUDY OF TUMU SENIOR HIGH/TECHNICAL SCHOOL IMMURANA ISSAH YESSE AUGUST, 2016 ii University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh iii University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, KUMASI THE LOW ENROLMENT OF TECHNICAL COURSES AT THE SENIOR HIGH/TECHNICAL SCHOOLS IN THE UPPER WEST REGION: A CASE STUDY OF TUMU SENIOR HIGH/TECHNICAL SCHOOL IMMURANA ISSAH YESSE (7141220011) A Dissertation in the Department of TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for award of the Master of Technology (Mechanical Technology Education) degree AUGUST, 2016 iv University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh DECLARATION STUDENT’S DECLARATION I, IMMURANA ISSAH YESSE, declare that this dissertation with the exception of quotations and references contained in published works which have all been identified and acknowledged, is entirely my own original work and it has not been submitted, either in part or whole for another degree elsewhere. SIGNATURE: …………………………….…… DATE: …………………………………………. SUPERVISOR’S DECLARATION I, hereby declare that the preparation of this dissertation was supervised in accordance with the guidelines on supervision of work laid down by the University of Education, Winneba. SUPERVISOR‟S NAME: DR. A. AGYEI-AGYEMANG SIGNATURE: …………………………….…… DATE: …………………………………………. ii University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh DEDICATION I dedicate this piece to my wife, Fauruza Abdullai and my brother, Iddrissu Issah through whose maximum effort and sweat, I am what I am today. It also goes to my imams, Sheikh Abubakar Haruna Antigwei and Sheikh Ismail Speed Adam who encouraged me to pursue further studies, when I lost hope in climbing the educational ladder. iii University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my profound gratitude to first and foremost God through whose guidance and protection I was able to complete this task. I also thank my Headmaster in the person of Mr. Ahmed Moro Baba, Head of Department, Mr. Inusah Alidu Ghanha and all the members of the Department of Technical of Tumu Senior High/Technical School who helped me in diver‟s ways to come out with this piece of work. I am also greatly indebted to my supervisor, Dr. A. Agyei-Agyemang who spent his precious time to mark and correct all the mistakes contained in this work. Again I owe a word of thanks to my wife and my brother-Fauruza Abdullai and Iddrissu Issah respectively. iv University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENTS PAGE DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. ii DEDICATION ....................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................................................................................. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................viii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................ ix ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................ 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................... 7 1.3 The Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................... 8 1.4 Objectives of the Study .................................................................................................. 9 1.5 Research Questions ........................................................................................................ 9 1.6 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................... 9 1.7 Limitations of the Study .............................................................................................. 10 1.8 Delimitations of the Study ........................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................. 11 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE .................................................................... 11 2.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 11 2.1 The Meaning of Technical Skills ................................................................................. 11 2.2 The Role of Technology in Society ............................................................................. 12 v University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh 2.3 Misconceptions ............................................................................................................ 18 2.4 Challenges Facing Technical Education ...................................................................... 19 2.4.1 State of Technical Laboratories/Workshop .............................................................. 19 2.4.2 Computer Laboratory ................................................................................................ 20 2.4.3 Materials Testing Lab/Mechanical Laboratory ......................................................... 21 2.4.4 Automation Laboratory - Force ................................................................................ 21 2.4.5 Programmable Logic Controllers .............................................................................. 22 2.4.6 Robots ....................................................................................................................... 22 2.4.7 CNC Machining Equipment ..................................................................................... 22 2.4.8 Laser Engraver .......................................................................................................... 22 2.4.9 Projects Laboratory I – Force ................................................................................... 22 2.4.10 Projects Laboratory II Force ................................................................................... 23 2.4.11 ASME Mini Baja Vehicle ....................................................................................... 23 2.4.12 Machine Shop - Force ............................................................................................. 23 2.4.13 Process Control Laboratory - Force ........................................................................ 23 2.4.14 Computer Laboratory - Force ................................................................................. 24 2.4.15 Electrical Laboratories ............................................................................................ 24 2.5 Technical Laboratories/Workshop in Some African Countries ................................... 25 2.5.1 Nigeria ...................................................................................................................... 25 2.5.2 Zimbabwe ................................................................................................................. 27 2.5.3 Ghana ........................................................................................................................ 27 2.6 Approaches/Strategies to Arouse Students Interest in the Teaching of Technical Courses ........................................................................................................................... 37 2.7 Role of Government in Technical Education .............................................................. 50 vi University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh CHAPTER THREE ......................................................................................................... 84 METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 84 3.1 Research Context ......................................................................................................... 84 3.2 The Subject of the Study .............................................................................................. 84 3.3 Actions Taken and why they were Taken .................................................................... 85 3.4 Data Collection Techniques ......................................................................................... 85 3.5 Procedure of Collection Data and Data Analysis ........................................................ 85 3.6