Educational Management Enhances Quality Education, but Digital Divide Persists

Why It Matters

This research highlights that the strategic implementation of management practices is a key driver for educational quality. It underscores the importance of addressing disparities in resources, particularly digital infrastructure, to ensure equitable access to quality learning experiences for all students, regardless of their location.

Key Finding

Good management leads to better education, but urban schools are still ahead. Internet access is vital for quality education, and its lack hinders progress in all schools.

Key Findings

• Educational management has a positive effect on quality education in both urban and rural schools.
• Urban schools exhibit higher quality education compared to rural schools.
• Internet facilities positively affect quality education, and their absence negatively impacts it in both urban and rural schools.

Research Evidence

Aim: To investigate the impact of educational management on the quality of education in Ghanaian primary schools, considering the mediating influence of internet facilities and differences between rural and urban environments.

Method: Quantitative survey and structural equation modeling.

Procedure: An online survey was administered to head teachers and teachers in urban and rural primary schools in Ghana. Data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the relationships between educational management, internet facilities, and quality education.

Sample Size: 1216 participants (745 urban, 471 rural head teachers and teachers)

Context: Primary education in Ghana, with a focus on educational management and digital infrastructure.

Design Principle

Equitable access to quality education is facilitated by robust management and adequate digital infrastructure.

How to Apply

When developing educational programs or technologies, ensure they are designed to be implemented effectively by existing management structures and consider how to bridge any digital access gaps for target users.

Limitations

The study relies on self-reported data, and the mediating role of internet facilities might be influenced by other unmeasured factors.

Student Guide (IB Design Technology)

Simple Explanation: Good school leaders and teachers make education better, but city schools are usually better than country schools. Having internet helps a lot, and not having it makes things worse everywhere.

Why This Matters: This research shows that how a school is run and the technology it has directly impacts how good the education is for students, which is crucial for any design project aiming to improve learning.

Critical Thinking: How might the cultural context of Ghana influence the effectiveness of educational management strategies and the impact of internet facilities on educational quality?

IA-Ready Paragraph: Research by Donkoh et al. (2023) indicates that effective educational management positively impacts the quality of education, with urban schools generally performing better than rural ones. The study also highlights the critical role of internet facilities, noting that their absence significantly weakens educational quality in all settings. This underscores the need for design solutions that consider both strong leadership support and equitable access to digital resources.

Project Tips

• When researching user needs, consider the role of leadership and resource availability.
• Investigate how digital tools can be integrated to support educational goals, paying attention to accessibility.

How to Use in IA

• Reference this study when discussing the importance of user context, management support, and resource availability in your design project's justification or research findings.

Examiner Tips

• Demonstrate an understanding of how systemic factors like management and infrastructure influence user experience and outcomes in your design project.

Independent Variable: ["Educational management practices","Availability of internet facilities"]

Dependent Variable: ["Quality of education"]

Controlled Variables: ["School location (urban/rural)","Role of participant (head teacher/teacher)"]

Strengths

• Large sample size across urban and rural settings.
• Use of robust statistical modeling (SEM).

Critical Questions

• To what extent can educational management alone overcome resource disparities like the digital divide?
• Are there specific management strategies that are more effective in improving quality in resource-limited environments?

Extended Essay Application

• Investigate the impact of specific digital learning platforms on educational quality in rural schools, considering management support and infrastructure limitations.

Source

Effects of educational management on quality education in rural and urban primary schools in Ghana · Heliyon · 2023 · 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21325