Overcoming Challenges for Successful College Improvement Planning: Insights from Principals of Colleges of Education in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/jtel.v3i3.6115Keywords:
Challenges, Collaborative Leadership, College Improvement Planning, Principals, keholder EngagementAbstract
This study explored how principals overcome challenges through collaboration and stakeholder engagement to achieve successful college improvement planning. The study utilized the interpretivist research paradigm and the qualitative research approach. All eight principals from Colleges of Education (CoEs) under the mentorship of the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana, were purposively selected. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviews. The study established trustworthiness through confirmability, credibility, dependability, and transferability. The ethical considerations involved informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity, and data encryption. Data analyzed thematically revealed that challenges faced by principals in college improvement planning include limited resources, resistance to change by staff, bureaucratic constraints, excessive administrative responsibilities, lack of a strong college culture, limited stakeholder engagement, and unclear performance indicators. Principals believed that attaining successful college improvement planning depended on genuine stakeholder engagement, open communication channels, participatory decision making, adaptability, and resilience. A key recommendation is that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission and the Ministry of Education should establish clear national policies and guidelines, including monitoring and evaluation systems, that make it a prerequisite for all CoEs to involve stakeholders in achieving successful college improvement planning.
References
Afram, K. O., Okeyo, W., & Kwarteng, C. O. (2024). Effect of school leadership on academic performance of public senior high schools in Ghana. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(3S), 4290-4304. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.803310S
Afsar, B., Al-Ghazali, B. M., Cheema, S., & Javed, F. (2021). Cultural intelligence and innovative work behaviour: The role of work engagement and interpersonal trust. European Journal of Innovation Management, 24(4), 1082–1109. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-01-2020-0008
Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla A. Q., Barzan Mohammed M. Ameen, B. M. M., & Khdhir, R. M. (2025). Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 6, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100198
Akparep, J., Jengre, E., & Mogre, A. (2019) The influence of leadership style on organizational performance at Tumakavi Development Association, Tamale, Northern Region of Ghana. Open Journal of Leadership, 8, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojl.2019.81001.
Alanoğlu, M., & Demirtaş, Z. (2021). The effect of bureaucratic school structure on teachers’ job satisfaction: The mediator role of the organizational justice. Research in Educational Administration & Leadership, 6(2), 432-470. https://doi.og/10.30828/real/2021.2.3
Alika, R, A., & Omoyebagbe, R. D. (2025). Effective communication strategies for organizational change initiatives. Advances in Management, 23(1), 49-62.
Al-Thani, G. (2025). Beyond consultation: Rethinking stakeholder engagement in Qatar’s public education policymaking. Education Sciences, 15(6), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15060769
Alzoraiki M., Ahmad A. R., Ateeq, A., & Milhem, M. (2024). The role of transformational leadership in enhancing school culture and teaching performance in Yemeni public schools. Frontiers in Education, 9(1413607), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1413607.
Anyidoho, E. D., & Ogina, T. A. (2024). Quality of planning practices in early childhood education centres in Ghana: Directors’ perspectives and experiences. European Journal of Educational Management, 7(2), 125-138. https://doi.org/10.12973/eujem .7.2.125.
Aryani, R. M. & Haryadi, R. (2023). Principals’ implementation of collaborative leadership to improve learning quality. Edufisika: Jurnal Pendidikan Fisika, 8(1), 6-15. https://doi.org/10.59052/edufisika.v8i1.24602
Avolio, B. J., & Yammarino, F. J. (2013). Transformational and charismatic leadership: The road ahead 10th anniversary edition. Emerald. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-357120130000005037
Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational leadership (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410617095
Bell, E., & Smith, K. (2021). Working within a system of administrative burden: how street-level bureaucrats’ role perceptions shape access to the promise of higher education. Administration & Society, 54(2), 167–211. https://doi.org/10.1177/00953997211027535
Bentsalo, I., Ümarik, M., Loogma, K., & Väljataga, T. (2025). Understanding the roles of positive
school culture and climate in supporting students’ wellbeing in vocational schools. Frontiers in Education, 10(1596252), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1596252
Bou, D., Sam, R., & Kheuy, S. (2025). Transformational leadership style in higher education: Scoping literature review. Journal of General Education and Humanities, 4(1), 13-34.https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v4i1.313
Bridoux, F., & Stoelhorst, J. W. (2022). Stakeholder governance: Solving the collective action problems in joint value creation. Academy of Management Review, 47(2), 214–236. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2019.0441
Bryson, J. M., Barberg, B., Crosby, B. C., & Quinn Patton, M. (2021). Leading social transformations: Creating public value and advancing the common good. Journal of Change Management, 21(2), 180–202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2021.1917492
Burbules, N., Fan, G., & Repp, P. (2020). Five trends of education and technology in a sustainable future. Geography and Sustainability, 1(2), 93-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geosus.2020.05.001
Bush, T. (2020). Theories of educational leadership and management (5th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
Chapman, C., Muijs, D., Reynolds, D., Sammons, P., & Teddlie, C. (2020). The Routledge international handbook of educational effectiveness and improvement: Research, policy, and practice. Routledge.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018). Research methods in education (8th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315456539
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed). SAGE Publications.
Dinler, C. (2024). Challenges and Strategies in School Improvement: School Principals’ Experiences and Reflections. International Journal of Asian Education, 5(4), 302-312.https://doi.org/10.46966/ijae.v5i4.451
Eliophotou Menon, M. (2014). The relationship between transformational leadership, perceived leader effectiveness and teachers’ job satisfaction. Journal of Educational Administration, 52(4), 509–528. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-01-2013-0014
Epstein, J. L. (2018). School, family, and community partnerships: Preparing educators and improving schools. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429494673
Filho, W. L., Pallant, E., Enete, A., Richter, B., & Brandli, L. L. (2018). Planning and implementing sustainability in higher education institutions: An overview of the difficulties and potential. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 25(15), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2018.1461707
Fullan, M. (2020). The nature of leadership is changing. European Journal of Education, Research, Development and Policy, 55(2), 139-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12388
Fullan, M. (2023). Leading in a culture of change (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass. Furxhi, G. (2021). Employee’s resistance and organizational change factors. European Journal of Business Management and Research, 6(2), 30-32.https://doi.org/10.24018/ejbmr.2021.6.2.759
Gillen, S. M. (2024). Stakeholder engagement: challenges, metrics, and tactical solutions in higher education strategic planning. Murray State Theses and Dissertations, 362. https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/etd/362
Glewwe, P., & Muralidharan, K. (2016). Improving education outcomes in developing countries. Handbook of the Economics Education, 5, 653-743. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63459-7.00010-5
Glover, D., & Levačić, R. (2020). Educational resource management: An international perspective (2nd ed.). UCL Press. https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781787358386
Gumusluoglu, L., & Ilsev, A. (2009) Transformational leadership, creativity, and organizational innovation. Journal of Business Research, 62(4), 461-473. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2007.07.032
Hadziahmetovic, N., & Salihovic, N. (2022). The role of transparent communication and leadership in employee engagement. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management and Sciences, 11(2), 558 - 571. http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJAR
Haile, T. M., & Mekonnen, E. A. (2024). Impacts of stakeholder engagement on curriculum implementation in Ethiopian Defense University. Pedagogical Research, 9(2), em0201. https://doi.org/10.29333/pr/14369
Harris, A., Chapman, C., Muijs, D., Russ, J., & Stoll, L. (2006). Improving schools in challenging contexts: Exploring the possible. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 17(4), 409-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09243450600743483
Harris, A., & Jones, M. (2017). Leading educational change and improvement at scale: Some inconvenient truths about system performance. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 20(5), 632–641. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2016.1274786
Jinga, A. A., Hussen, J. O., Negash, H. G., & Estifanos, A. B. (2024). Leadership behaviour and organizational change management in selected public universities of Ethiopia: Exploring the impact of leadership influences and change processes. Heliyon, 10(19), 1-16.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e37149
Khan, H., Rehmat, M., Butt, T. H., Farooqi, S., & Asim, J. (2020). Impact of transformational leadership on work performance, burnout and social loafing: A mediation model. Future Business Journal, 6(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-020-00043-8
Kim, T., & Weiner, J. (2022). Negotiating incomplete autonomy: Portraits from three school principals. Educational Administration Quarterly, 58(3), 487-521. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X221080374
Kirisci-Sarikaya, A., & Fayda-Kinik, F. S. (2024). Phenomenological approach to distributed leadership in educational research: A systematic review. Journal of Innovative Research in Teacher Education, 5(2), 94-110. https://doi.org/10.29329/jirte.2024.667.1
Kitch, B. (2024). Collaborative leadership: What it is and why it works so well for distributed teams? https://www.mural.co/blog/collaborative-leadership
Koh, G. A., Askell-Williams, H., & Barr, S. (2023). Sustaining school improvement initiatives: advice from educational leaders. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 34(3), 298–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2023.2190130
Körkkö, M., Lutovac, S., & Satu-Maarit, K. (2024). The sense of inadequacy and uncertainty arising from teacher work: Perspectives of pre- and in-service teachers. International Journal of Educational Research, 127 (2024), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102410
Krasniqi, R. (2021). Principal’s role in supporting teacher collaborative learning. Research in Educational Administration & Leadership, 6(4), 903-941.
Kyei-Nuamah, D., & Peng, Z. (2023). High school principals in Ghana: Leadership styles and practices toward effective educational outcomes. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2023.2272146
Lee, J. Y., & Patel, S. J. (2020). An innovating business model for the higher education sector: A platform-based approach to university career services. Industry and Higher Education, 34, 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950422219881069
Lee, M., & Louis, K. S. (2019). Mapping a strong school culture and linking it to sustainable school improvement. Teaching and Teacher Education, 81(May), 84–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2019.02.001
Leithwood, K. (2021). A review of evidence about equitable school leadership. Education Sciences, 11(377), 1-49. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11080377
Leithwood, K., & Jantzi, D. (2006). Transformational School Leadership for Large-Scale Reform: Effects on students, teachers, and their classroom practices. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 17(2), 201–227. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243450600565829
Lopez, A., & Bauyot, M. (2025). Stakeholders’ involvement in school-based programmes: A case study. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Educational Research and Innovation, 3(1), 52-75.
Louis, K. S., Dretzke, B., & Wahlstrom, K. (2010). How does leadership affect student achievement? Results from a national US survey. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 21(3), 315–336. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2010.486586
Madani, R. A. (2019). Analysis of educational quality: A goal of education for all policy. Higher Education Studies, 9(1), 100-100. https://doi.org/10.5539/hes.v9n1p100
Maduforo, A. N., Scott, S., & Scott, D. (2024). Leadership development for contemporary post-secondary academic leaders: Challenges, content and approach. SAGE Open, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241253647
Manheim D. (2023). Building less-flawed metrics: Understanding and creating better measurement and incentive systems. Patterns, 4(10), 100842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2023.100842
Mhlongo, S., Mbatha, K., Ramatsetse, B., & Dlamini, R. (2023). Challenges, opportunities, and prospects of adopting and using smart digital technologies in learning environments: An iterative review. Heliyon, 9(6), e16348, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16348.
Muhdiarta, U. (2025). Investigating the challenges of bureaucratic reform in developing countries: A case study approach. Ilomata International Journal of Social Science, 6(2), 689-702. https://doi.org/10.61194/ijss.v6i2.1687
Nadeem, M. (2024). Distributed leadership in educational contexts: A catalyst for school improvement. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 9(2024), 100835, 1-9.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2024.100835
Nguyen, P. N., Nguyen, T. T. H., Nguyen, H., & Orla, F. (2023). Does transformational leadership influence organisational culture and organisational performance: Empirical evidence from an emerging country. IIMB Management Review, 35(4), 382-392. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iimb.2023.10.001.
Niesche, R., Eacott, S., Keddie, A., Gobby, B., MacDonald, K., Wilkinson, J., & Blackmore, J. (2021). Principals’ perceptions of school autonomy and educational leadership. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 51(6), 1260-1277. https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211034174
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. Nwisagbo, A. E., Osuji, C. U., & Amachree, T. (2025). Leading changes in education: Strategies for managing resistance and building buy-in. International Journal of Educational Management, Rivers State University, 1(1),387-402. https://www.ijedm.com
Obodozie, N. M., & Nwabufo, J. (2024). Promoting collaboration in the modern workplace: A path to productivity and resilience. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 25(02), 524-533. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.25.2.0343
Osobajo, O. A., Okeb, A., Ajimmyc, M., Otitojud, A., & Adeyaniue, G. C. (2023). The role of culture in stakeholder engagement: Its implication for open innovation. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 9(2023), 100058, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joitmc.2023.100058
Owusu-Agyeman, Y. (2021). Transformational leadership and innovation in higher education: A participative process approach. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 24(5), 694-716. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603124.2019.1623919
Peurach, D., Cohen, D., Yurkofsky, M., & Spillane, J. P. (2019). From mass schooling to education systems: Changing patterns in the organization and management of instruction. Review of Research in Education, 43(1), 32-67. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X18821131
Pont, B. (2020). A literature review of school leadership policy reforms. European Journal of Education, 55(2), 154-168. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12398
Salifu, I., & Kala, M. (2024). Improving pupil performance in rural Ghana basic schools: Principals’ leadership challenges. International Journal of Educational Development, 108(103061), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103061
Saka-Helmhout, A., Álamos-Concha, P., Machado López, M., Hagan, J., Murray, G., Edwards, T., Kern, P., Martin, I., & Zhang, L. E. (2024). Stakeholder engagement strategies for impactful corporate social innovation initiatives by multinational enterprises. Journal of International Management, 30(4), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intman.2024.101159.
Schein, E. H. (2017). Organizational culture and leadership (5th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. Schildkamp, K. (2019). Data-based decision-making for school improvement: Research insights and gaps. Educational Research, 61(11), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2019.1625716
Shaikh, G., & Şentürk İ. (2023). Evaluation of the effect of educational bureaucracy on school administration: A blunting school climate for teachers. Osmangazi Journal of Educational Research, 10(Special Issue), 96-134. https://doi.org/10.59409/ojer.1365959
Stahl, N. A., & King, J. R. (2020). Expanding approaches for research: Understanding and using trustworthiness in qualitative research. Journal of Developmental Education, 44(1), 26–28. https://www.jstor.org/stable/45381095
Steinmann, B., Klug, H. J. P., & Maier, G. W. (2018). The path is the goal: How transformational leaders enhance followers’ job attitudes and proactive behaviour. Frontiers in Psychology, 9(2338), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02338
Tamadoni, A., Hosseingholizadeh, R., & Bellibaş, M. Ş. (2021). A systematic review of key contextual challenges facing school principals: Research-informed coping solutions. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 52(1), 116-150.https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432211061439
Thien, L. M. (2019). Distributive leadership functions, readiness for change, and teachers’ affective commitment to change: A partial least squares analysis. SAGE Open, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244019846209
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (2015). Education for All 2000-2015: Achievements and challenges. EFA Global Monitoring Report. UNESCO Publishing.
Verano, V. S., Agrazamendez, D. D., Sarazain, K., & Bauyot, M. (2024). Strategic planning and management practices on quality education enhancement. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(3S), 2358-2366. https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2024.803173S
Wermke, W., Jarl, M., Prøitz, T. S., & Nordholm, D. (2022). Comparing principal autonomy in time and space: Modelling school leaders’ decision making and control, Journal of Curriculum Studies, 54(6), 733-750. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2022.2127124
Wijethilake, C., Upadhaya, B., & Lama, T. (2021). The role of organisational culture in organisational change towards sustainability: Evidence from the garment manufacturing industry. Production Planning & Control, 34(3), 275–294.https://doi.org/10.1080/09537287.2021.1913524
Woelert, P. (2023). Administrative burden in higher education institutions: A conceptualisation and a research agenda. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 45(4), 409–422. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360080X.2023.2190967
Yamoah, E. E. & Quansah, M. (2025). Stakeholder collaboration in school improvement planning toward academic excellence in junior high schools of Gomoa West and Central Districts, Ghana. East African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 6(1), 13-23. https://doi.org/10. 46606/eajess2025v06i01.0419
Yammarino, F. (2013). Leadership: Past, Present, and Future. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 20(2), 149-155. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051812471559
Yilmaz, D., & Kılıçoğlu, G. (2013). Resistance to change and ways of reducing resistance in educational organizations. European Journal of Research on Education, 1(1), 14-21.
Yurkofsky, M. M., Peterson, A. J., Mehta, J. D., Horwitz-Willis, R., & Frumin, K. M. (2020). Research on continuous improvement: Exploring the complexities of managing educational change. Review of Research in Education, 44(1), 403–433. https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X20907363
Zhang, W., Zeng, X., Liang, H., Xue, Y., & Cao, X. (2023). Understanding how organizational culture affects innovation performance: A management context perspective. Sustainability, 15(8), 1-9, 6644. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086644
Zickafoose, A., Ilesanmi, O., Diaz-Manrique, M., Adeyemi, A. E., Walumbe, B., Strong, R., Wingenbach, G., Rodriguez, M. T., & Dooley, K. (2024). Barriers and challenges affecting quality education (Sustainable Development Goal #4) in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Sustainability, 16(2657), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072657
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Kweku Esia-Donkoh, Hinneh Kusi, Munkaila Seibu
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
