ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on the impact of COVID-19 on schools in Ghana. The study was limited to the University of Ghana, Accra. This study used a descriptive survey design method. The survey research design was used because the study relied on primary data collected from sampled respondents. The population of this study consisted of students in University of Ghana, Accra. The total population of the study was 478 students, collected from the class attendance of students from the various departments. The researcher utilized the Taro Yamane formula to evaluate the sample size of the study to arrive at a sample size of 218. The main instrument for data collection used in this study was the self-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire used a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Data analysis is a continuous procedure that happens all through a research. The study employed SPSS 19.0 in analyzing the responses from respondents and the results were presented in tables, frequencies, and percentages. The findings of the study showed that the respondents had an excellent knowledge of Covid-19 among selected students in University of Ghana, Accra. Also, the study showed that Covid-19 had adverse effects on the education and academic performance of the students in University of Ghana, Accra. Lastly, preventive measures for Covid-19 such as regular sanitation with alcohol-based sanitizer, use of face mask and were applied among the students in University of Ghana, Accra. The study recommended that interventions comprising health literacy and information programmes, and organizing community wide awareness campaign should be targeted at schools and community residents at all levels to ensure better perception towards adhering to the preventive measures of COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impact of covid-19 on students in Ghana. The study focused on the students in University of Ghana, Accra. The Covid-19 pandemic which started in December 2019 killed millions of people worldwide. This study used a descriptive survey design method. The survey research design was used because the study relied on primary data collected from sampled respondents. The population of this study consisted of students in University of Ghana, Accra. The total population of the study was 478 students, collected from the class attendance of students from the various departments. The researcher utilized the Taro Yamane formula to evaluate the sample size of the study to arrive at a sample size of 218. The main instrument for data collection used in this study was the self-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire used a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. Data analysis is a continuous procedure that happens all through a research. The study employed SPSS 19.0 in analyzing the responses from respondents and the results were presented in tables, frequencies, and percentages. The findings of the study showed that the respondents had an excellent knowledge of Covid-19 among selected students in University of Ghana, Accra. Also, the study showed that Covid-19 had adverse effects on the education and academic performance of the students in University of Ghana, Accra. Lastly, preventive measures for Covid-19 such as regular sanitation with alcohol-based sanitizer, use of face mask and were applied among the students in University of Ghana, Accra. The study recommended that interventions comprising health literacy and information programmes, and organizing community wide awareness campaign should be targeted at students and community residents at all levels to ensure better perception towards adhering to the preventive measures of COVID-19.

Keywords: Covid-19, corona virus, epidemic, pandemic, sanitation, preventive measures, education, academic performance.

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.1     Background of the study

In December 2019, there were emergence of some cases of the corona virus that originated in Wuhan City according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020). The causative pathogen was named the novel corona-virus because it was the first of its kind (Huang et al., 2020). The corona virus disease outbreak also known as COVID-19 impacted negatively on all the sector of the economy (Stevens et al., 2020). Therefore, the educational sector was no exception. The outbreak of this infectious disease led to a global school closure (Bhagat et al., 2020). This was due to the mode of transmission of the corona virus. So many safety measures were adhered to, in order to reduce the spread of the disease (Malhotra et al., 2020).

The discovery of this new virus mandates it for China to demonstrate to rest of the world how vigilant and prepared they are to prevent the global spread of a new infection and protect both global health and the wellbeing of their own peoples. The countries of the region need to be vigilant and put in place enhanced public health surveillance plan for identifying suspected cases using WHO’s recommended case definition and investigation protocol (Malik et al., 2012). The US, UK, Germany, Italy and even Ghana are currently battling with COVID-19 pandemic. It has taken a great concern at the governmental and public levels as it led to a number of human infections and deaths. Since February 12, to March 26, 2020; the total number of infected cases with COVID-19, as reported by worldometers, reached 478,446 of global cases of which 21,524 cases have died and a total of global recovery stands at 115,668.

We need to better understand the public health implication of emergence of this new respiratory virus from China to understand the exposure risks. The current situation in Ghana needs to be carefully monitored by our health workers as there is a fear from increased number of human infections and deaths recording on daily basis. The problem of COVID-19 pandemic becomes more complicated in absence of any prophylactic vaccines, curative treatment and lack of experience in control measures (Al-Ahdal et al., 2012).

In Ghana, COVID-19 pandemic affected their educational sector, as recognized by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Study revealed that Covid-19 has spread exponentially in so many countries which made the government to enforce a law for strict quarantine measures, social distancing, use of facemask, and personal hygiene using a sanitizer (Nazar et al., 2020).

Due to the role education plays in the growth of the economy, it is regarded as a pillar to the development of a country. The education sector has faced different challenges such as change of curriculum, closing date and so on (Al-Quteimat et al., 2020). All these led to the researcher carrying out a research on the impact of COVID-19 on the students of Ghana. This topic was selected because students were regarded as the people that suffered the most during the pandemic period. For instance, students had to pause offline education and adopt the online educations system thereby, losing motivation to study. According to a report carried out by Nemati et al. (2020), the performance of students after the Covid-19 pandemic dropped as compared to previous years.

 

1.2     Statement of the problem

The outbreak of corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Ghana has increase the level of tension and anxiety among citizens in the country. The virus unlike other cases we have had in this country is highly transmittable with severe signs and symptoms.

The outbreak of corona virus disease (COVID-19) might have effect on the Ghana economy through low imports and exports in the country, poor tourism remittance and commodity price rate in Ghana. Lastly there have been studies on corona virus disease (COVID-19) but not even a single study is based on the effect of corona virus (COVID-19) on schools in Ghana.

 

1.3     Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study is to examine the impact of COVID-19 on schools in Ghana.

Given below are the stated specific objectives of the study:

1. To establish the knowledge of Covid-19 among selected students in University of Ghana, Accra.
2. To examine the impact of Covid-19 on the education and academic performance of the students in University of Ghana, Accra.
3. To assess the preventive measures for Covid-19 among the students in University of Ghana, Accra.