Evaluating the Accra Polytechnic Examination System for Total Quality Management Principles

Abstract

A critical review of the examination process of Accra Polytechnic was done in order to generate flowcharts which could be used in improving the process of the examination system. A qualitative descriptive research was used to examine the examination process of Accra Polytechnic using TQM principles. A Cross-Sectional Study of a sample of employees of Accra Polytechnic. Structured questionnaire were used to elicit responses from a non-random sample of 100 members of staff. Out of this, 96 members of staff, made up of 32 Administrative staff and 64 lecturers including current and former Deans and former Vice Rectors of the institution filled and returned their questionnaires. Questionnaires were distributed by hand to a sample of 100 staff of Accra Polytechnic. Flowcharts were assessed for compliance to the principles of TQM. Three stages were identified in the Examination process as “Before Examinations”, “During Examinations” and “After Examinations”. There was leadership commitment and employee participation, but no operational Quality Policy, recognition and reward for deserving staff, customer satisfaction surveys, and benchmarking, and training limited to invigilators only.

Keywords: Total Quality Management (TQM), Examination, Flowchart Assessment