Educational Quality Gap in Ghana: Evidence from the Ashanti Region

The study investigated the awareness of TQM and TQM practices, the relationship between academic performance and TQM, and the challenges in implementing TQM in educational institutions using selected schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana as sample study. Data used were mainly primary collected from 20 management members, 85 staff members and 200 students. Students were randomly selected whilst management and staff were purposively selected. The result showed low level of TQM knowledge in the educational institutions albeit its practice. Training was identified as the main means of acquiring TQM knowledge. The study concluded that there is a positive relationship between TQM practices by management and staff and academic performance. Students' expectations of the quality of service in the Ashanti Region was met as services rendered are reliable, management and staff responsive to issues, etc. Finally, the expenditure involved in training staff was revealed as the main hindrance to TQM implementation in educational institutions in Ghana.