Abstract
The study explore the vital role of headteachers in implementing the career technology curriculum(CTC) within the common core programme across basic schools in Achiase District of Ghana. Framed by Bandura'.s Social learning theory (1977), Argyris and Schon's Organisational learning theory (1997) and Bass's transformational leadership theory (2006), the research investigates how leadership practices, organisational learning processes and social modelling influence or hinder effective curriculum delivery .Using a qualitative approach and multiple case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and reflective dialogue with ten(10) public basic school headteachers and analysed thematically. The findings highlight ongoing structural and systematic challenges including insufficient materials and equipment which greatly limit the practical delivery of CTC. Despite these barriers many headteachers exhibit transformational leadership by fostering collaborative school environment, community involvement in CTC. The study emphasises socioeconomic and school cultural environment. It concludes by recommending increased resource provision, contextual professional development and stronger community school linkages and building school culture of implementation of curriculum reform as essential strategy for enhancing the effectiveness of career technology in basic schools in Ghana.
Keywords
References
- Abedi, E. A., & Ametepey, A. K. (2024). Leadership practices and support structures enabling teachers’ informal learning for educational technology use: An appreciative inquiry approach. Professional Development in Education, 1–15.Google Scholar ↗
- Addai-Mununkum, R. (2020). Curriculum development in Ghana: Evolution and contemporary trends. International Journal of Curriculum Studies, 12(1), 22–38.Google Scholar ↗
- Adu-Agyem, J., & Osei-Poku, P. (2012). Quality education in Ghana: The way forward. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 1(9), 164–177.Google Scholar ↗
- Afeti, G. (2018). Revitalising technical and vocational education and training in Africa: Issues outstanding. Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training, 1(1), xi–xviii.Google Scholar ↗
- Alagaraja, M., & Arthur-Mensah, N. (2013). Exploring technical vocational education and training systems in emerging markets: A case study on Ghana. European Journal of Training and Development, 37(9), 835–850.Google Scholar ↗
- Alldred, P., Cullen, F., Edwards, K., & Fusco, D. (2018). The SAGE Handbook of Youth Work Practice. Sage.Google Scholar ↗
- Amedorme, S. K., & Fiagbe, Y. A. (2013). Challenges facing technical and vocational education in Ghana. Cell, 233, 244833980.Google Scholar ↗
- Anderson, K. T., & Holloway, J. (2020). Discourse analysis as theory, method, and epistemology in studies of education policy. Journal of Education Policy, 35(2), 188– 221.Google Scholar ↗
- Anderson, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in education: A review of existing literature. International Social Science Review, 93(1), 1–13.Google Scholar ↗
- Ansaah, E., Abonyi, U. K., & Salifu, I. (2024). Headteachers’ Instructional Leadership Practices: A Comparison of Public and Private Basic Schools in Two Selected Districts in Ghana. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 1–11.Google Scholar ↗
- Ansong, D., Okumu, M., Bowen, G. L., Walker, A. M., & Eisensmith, S. R. (2017). The role of parent, classmate, and teacher support in student engagement: Evidence from Ghana. International Journal of Educational Development, 54, 51–58.Google Scholar ↗
- Argyris, C. (1977). Double loop learning in organizations. Harvard Business Review, 55(5), 115–125.Google Scholar ↗
- Argyris, C. (1996). Organizational learning II. Theory, Method, and Practice.Google Scholar ↗
- Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1997). Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective. Reis, 77/78, 345–348.Google Scholar ↗
- Baker, D. P., Day, R., & Salas, E. (2006). Teamwork as an Essential Component of High‐Reliability Organizations. Health Services Research, 41(4p2), 1576–1598.Google Scholar ↗
- Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs.Google Scholar ↗
- Bandura, A., & Hall, P. (2018). Albert bandura and social learning theory. Learning Theories for Early Years, 78.Google Scholar ↗
- Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1993). Transformational leadership and organizational culture. Public Administration Quarterly, 112–121.Google Scholar ↗
- Boateng, C. (2012). Restructuring vocational and technical education in Ghana: The role of leadership development. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(4), 108–114.Google Scholar ↗
- Bobbitt, J. F. (1918). The curriculum. Houghton Mifflin.Google Scholar ↗
- Carcary, M. (2009). The research audit trial—Enhancing trustworthiness in qualitative inquiry. Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 7(1), pp11-24.Google Scholar ↗
- Carse, N. (2015). Primary teachers as physical education curriculum change agents. European Physical Education Review, 21(3), 309–324.Google Scholar ↗
- Castillo-Montoya, M. (2016). Preparing for interview research: The interview protocol refinement framework. Qualitative Report, 21(5).Google Scholar ↗
- Chaudhary, G. K. (2015). Factors affecting curriculum implementation for students. International Journal of Applied Research, 1(12), 984–986.Google Scholar ↗
- Cheng, X., Zhang, L. J., & Yan, Q. (2025). Exploring teacher written feedback in EFL writing classrooms: Beliefs and practices in interaction. Language Teaching Research, 29(1), 385–415.Google Scholar ↗
- Chuene, D. M., & Teane, F. M. (2024). Resource inadequacy as a barrier to effective curriculum implementation by life sciences teachers in South Africa. South African Journal of Education, 44(2).Google Scholar ↗
- Clapp-Smith, R., Hammond, M. M., Lester, G. V., & Palanski, M. (2019). Promoting Identity Development in Leadership Education: A Multidomain Approach to Developing the Whole Leader. Journal of Management Education, 43(1), 10–34.Google Scholar ↗
- Coffie, R. B., Ansah, M. O., & Ellis, F. (2023). The Role of Employee Moral Awareness in Promoting Ethical Leadership: Towards Reducing Organisational Deviance in Ghana. Business Ethics and Leadership, 7(1), 82–95.Google Scholar ↗
- Cresswell, J. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches.Google Scholar ↗
- Dinham, S. (2007). How Schools Get Moving and Keep Improving: Leadership for Teacher Learning, Student Success and School Renewal. Australian Journal of Education, 51(3), 263–275.Google Scholar ↗
- Donkoh, R., Wing-On, L., & Donkor, J. (2021). Educational Development Issues in Ghana in Light of Educational Policy and Planning. International Journal of Educational Development in Africa, 5.Google Scholar ↗
- Dooly, M., & Moore, E. (2017). Introduction: Qualitative Approaches to Research on Plurilingual Education. ERIC.Google Scholar ↗
- Doty, C. L. (2024). The Influence of Informal Teacher Leadership and Social Networks on Teacher Self-Efficacy in Rural Schools [PhD Thesis, Lincoln Memorial University].Google Scholar ↗
- Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). ‘Building theories from case study research’ Academy of Management Review, 14.4:352-550Google Scholar ↗
- Fischer, C. T. (2009). Bracketing in qualitative research: Conceptual and practical matters. Psychotherapy Research, 19(4–5), 583–590.Google Scholar ↗
- Fontana, E., & Siriwichai, P. (2022). Understanding transgender persons’ careers to advance sustainable development: The case of Trans for Career Thailand. Sustainable Development, 30(6), 1573–1590.Google Scholar ↗
- Fook, J. & Gardner, F. (2007). practicing critical reflection: a resource handbook. Berkshire. Open University Press.Fullan, M. (2015). The new meaning of educational change. Teachers college press.Google Scholar ↗
- García, J. M. G.-V., García-Carmona, M., Trujillo Torres, J. M., & Moya-Fernández, P. (2022). Teacher Training for Educational Change: The View of International Experts. Contemporary Educational Technology, 14(1).Google Scholar ↗
- Hallinger, P., & Heck, R. H. (2011). Leadership and student learning outcomes. Leadership and Learning, 56–70.Google Scholar ↗
- Hargreaves, A., & Fink, D. (2012). Sustainable leadership. John Wiley & Sons.Google Scholar ↗
- Hargreaves, E., & Rolls, L. (2021). Reimagining professional development in schools. Routledge.Google Scholar ↗
- Harris, A., & Jones, M. (2019). Leading professional learning with impact. School Leadership & Management, 39(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632434.2018.1530892DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗
- Hollweck, T. (2015). Robert K. Yin. (2014). Case Study Research Design and Methods(5th ed.). Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, 30(1), 108–110.Google Scholar ↗
- Hughes, D., & Smith, G. (2020). Youth Transitions: Creating Pathways to Success. Education Development Trust.Google Scholar ↗
- Hutchison, A. C., & Woodward, L. (2018). Examining the Technology Integration Planning Cycle Model of Professional Development to Support Teachers’ Instructional Practices. Teachers College Record: The Voice of Scholarship in Education, 120(10), 1–44.Google Scholar ↗
- Kamaruzaman, N. L., Musa, K., & Hashim, Z. (2020). Teacher leadership: Concept and framework. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 9(2), 574–587.Google Scholar ↗
- Kendrick, K. A. (2024). College Readiness in Career and Technical Education Instruction During the Pandemic [PhD Thesis, WaldenGoogle Scholar ↗
- Khan, Md. S. H., & Markauskaite, L. (2018). Technical and Vocational Teachers’ Conceptions of ICT in the Workplace: Bridging the gap between teaching and professional practice. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 56(7), 1099–1128.Google Scholar ↗
- Kissi, E., Ahadzie, D. K., Debrah, C., & Adjei-Kumi, T. (2020). Underlying strategies for improving entrepreneurial skills development of technical and vocational students in developing countries: Using Ghana as a case study. Education+ Training, 62(5), 599– 614.Google Scholar ↗
- Kitur, K. (2021). Relationship Between Principals’Transformational Leadership Style And Students’Academic Performance In Kenya Certificate Of Secondary Education In Bomet County, Kenya [PhD Thesis].Google Scholar ↗
- Kornblum, A., Unger, D., & Grote, G. (2018). Close Relationships and Career Goals: How Significant Others Facilitate Career Goal Attainment. Academy of Management Proceedings, 2018(1), 11723.Google Scholar ↗
- Koutroubas, V., & Galanakis, M. (2022). Bandura’s social learning theory and its importance in the organizational psychology context. Psychology, 12(6), 315–322.Google Scholar ↗
- LaVorgna, B. N. (2020). Simulated Workplace: Study of the Impacts on CTC Enrollment and Student Success. Frostburg State University.Google Scholar ↗
- Levitt, B., & March, J. G. (1988). Organizational... - Google Scholar. (n.d.).Google Scholar ↗
- Lyall, C., Meagher, L., Gill, J. B., & Kettle, A. (2015). Interdisciplinary provision in higher education: Current context and future challenges. (Mahera Shoaib, Nimrah Ayaz, 2021—Google Scholar. (n.d.).Google Scholar ↗
- Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2014). Designing qualitative research. Sage publications.Google Scholar ↗
- Matttessich, P. W., Murray-Close, M. and Monsey, B. R., Wilder Research Centre (2005). Collaboration: What makes it work (2nd Edn). Saint Paul Minnesota: Fieldstone AllianceGoogle Scholar ↗
- McKeown, B., & Thomas, D. B. (2013). Q methodology (Vol. 66). Sage publications.Google Scholar ↗
- McQueen, J. L. (2021). An Action Research Study of 21st-Century Career Readiness Skills of Rural Texas Public High School Students [PhD Thesis, Northcentral University].Google Scholar ↗
- Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2009). Dealing with validity, reliability, and ethics. Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation, 209–235.Google Scholar ↗
- Merritt, E., Hale, A., & Archambault, L. (2018). Changes in pre-service teachers’ values, sense of agency, motivation and consumption practices: A case study of an education for sustainability course. Sustainability, 11(1), 155.Google Scholar ↗
- Ministry of Education, Ghana. (2018). Education strategic plan 2018–2030. Accra, Ghana: Government of Ghana.Google Scholar ↗
- Miri, B., David, B.-C., & Uri, Z. (2007). Purposely Teaching for the Promotion of Higher-order Thinking Skills: A Case of Critical Thinking. Research in Science Education, 37(4), 353–369.Google Scholar ↗
- Moore, M. H., Carol, P. V, Anthony, B. A, and. McLaughlin B. L., ( editors) (2003). Deadly Lessons: Understanding Lethal School Violence http://books.nap.edu/books/0309084121/html/247.htm l#p20005d45997024700Google Scholar ↗
- NaCCA. (2021). The Common Core Programme: A guide for curriculum implementation. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.Google Scholar ↗
- Oltmann, S. (2016). Qualitative interviews: A methodological discussion of the interviewer and respondent contexts. Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 17(2).Google Scholar ↗
- Ormrod, J. E. (2016). Human learning. Pearson Higher Ed.Google Scholar ↗
- Otchi, C. M. K. (2013). Falling standards of technical and vocational education and trainingin Ghana_ a case study of mechanical engineering trainees in Anlo, Kpando and have technical and vocational institutes in the volta region [PhD Thesis, Unversity of Education, Winneba].Google Scholar ↗
- Owusu, K. (2019). Exploring the transformational leadership strategies used by Islamic education reformers to influence the integration of Islamic schools in Ghana. Journal of Comparative Studies and International Education, 1(1).Google Scholar ↗
- Owusu-Ansah, K. K. (2024). Sustainable Development: Implications for Urban Employment in Emerging Global Cities, a Case Study of Accra, Ghana [Master’s Thesis, University of Wyoming].Google Scholar ↗
- Powell-Taylor Ellen and Renner Marcus (2003) Analyzing qualitative data, University of Wisconsin-Extension USA http://cecommerce.uwex.edu/pdfs/G3658_12. PDF (June 2025)Google Scholar ↗
- Ramaka, S. B. (2020). An Educational Case Study: Understanding Professional Collaboration in an International Context. Wilkes University.Google Scholar ↗
- Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2019). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological. Sage Publications.Google Scholar ↗
- Robinson, S. (2011). Primary Headteachers: New Leadership Roles Inside and Outside the School. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 39(1), 63–83.Google Scholar ↗
- Schunk, D. H., & DiBenedetto, M. K. (2020). Motivation and social cognitive theory. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 60, 101832.Google Scholar ↗
- Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (2012). Self-regulation and learning. Handbook of Psychology, Second Edition, 7.Google Scholar ↗
- Senge, P. (1990). Peter Senge and the learning organization. Dimension, 14.Google Scholar ↗
- Senty, T. L. (2021). Connecting Common Core State Standards to career and technical education.Google Scholar ↗
- Serpico, K. (2024). Defining institutional review board application quality: Critical research gaps and future opportunities. Research Ethics, 20(1), 19–35.Google Scholar ↗
- Shenton, A. K. (2004). Strategies for ensuring trustworthiness in qualitative research projects. Education for Information, 22(2), 63–75.Google Scholar ↗
- So, K. (2013). Knowledge construction among teachers within a community based on inquiry as stance. Teaching and Teacher Education, 29, 188–196.Google Scholar ↗
- So, K., & Kim, J. (2013). Informal Inquiry for Professional Development among Teachers within a Self-Organized Learning Community: A Case Study from South Korea. Internationa Education Studies, 6(3), 105–115.Google Scholar ↗
- Stewart, V. (2012). A world-class education: Learning from international models of excellence and innovation. ASCD.Google Scholar ↗
- Takyi, S. A., Amponsah, O., Asibey, M. O., & Ayambire, R. A. (2021). An overview of Ghana’s educational system and its implication for educational equity. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 24(2), 157–182.Google Scholar ↗
- Tobin, G. A., & Begley, C. M. (2010). Triangulation as a method of inquiry. Storied Inquiries in International Landscapes: An Anthology of Educational Research, 423–428.Google Scholar ↗
- UNESCO. (2019). Transforming technical and vocational education and training for successful careers. Paris, France: UNESCO Publishing.Google Scholar ↗
- Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: Evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967.Google Scholar ↗
- Venable, M. A. (2010). Using Technology to Deliver Career Development Services: Supporting Today’s Students in Higher Education. The Career Development Quarterly, 59(1), 87–96.Google Scholar ↗
- Webb, M. S. (2021). Educational practices that prepare career and technical education students with industry-ready skills [PhD Thesis, Walden University].Google Scholar ↗
- World Bank. (2020). Skills development for employability and productivity in Ghana. Washington, DC: World Bank.Google Scholar ↗
- World Economic Forum. (2020). The future of jobs report. Geneva, Switzerland: WEF.Google Scholar ↗
- Yangben, P. N., & Seniwoliba, J. A. (2014). Career challenges in construction craft training in technical vocational education and training in Ghana.Google Scholar ↗
- Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications. Sage Thousand Oaks, CA.Google Scholar ↗
