Examining Support Systems of Dual Mode Colleges of Education in Ghana
The lack of facilities, administrative structures and staffing to support the distance learning programmes has raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of distance learning program. The general aim of the study was to examine the availability of facilities, administrative structures and staffing that exist for running the distance teacher training programme within dual mode teacher training colleges, examine challenges that exist and also to make recommendations in order to improve upon the quality of the distance teacher training programme. A sequential exploratory mixed design strategy was adapted for the study. The population of the study included 38 colleges of education across 10 regions of Ghana. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire from Principals of thirty (30) colleges and via semi-structured interviews from thirty (30) teachers from thirty randomly selected colleges of education. Data obtained during survey was coded and entered into a SPSS statistical software and subsequently analysed using both descriptive and inferential methods. Results from the study revealed that both principal and teachers were of the view that, although, there were available of resources put in place within dual mode colleges of education to facilitate the running of the distance teacher training, there were still some challenges which needed urgent attention so as to improve upon the quality of teacher training in colleges. Recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.