CHALLENGES OF STUDENT MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (MIS) IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, WA CAMPUS

Abstract

In conformity with Ghana Government’s policy towards digital information system ostensibly to promote ‘paperless’ economy, UDS in 2016 established the Management Information System (MIS). The aim was to seek efficiently and systematically help in records keeping to ensure quality education service delivery of both staff (teaching and non-teaching) and students. However, the system is beset with inconsistencies and frustrations to users of the system. The study delved into the record keeping function to unearth the challenges of MIS in UDS-Wa Campus. The fact of paucity of literature in this area leaves a gap to be filled. The study is qualitative in nature and purposive sampling technique was used to sample forty (40) respondents. They were six (6) administrative staff, fourteen (14) senior and junior lecturers and twenty (20) student leaders. The study revealed that administrators, lectures and students are unable to assess the Management Information System regularly regardless of entering their correct identification numbers and passwords. The study also found out that the web page and database of the Management Information System of UDS (Wa campus), is very slow distorted always. The study also found out that UDS (Wa-campus) does not have a student Management Information System manager but rather depends on the manager at central administration in Tamale campus. The study further revealed that there are limited experts operating UDS (Wa campus) Management Information System as compared toother public Universities of the country. The study recommends that management of UDS (Wa campus) should employ Information and Communication Technology experts in the area of Management Information System (MIS) and Computer Engineering to ensure proper functioning of UDS (Wa campus) Management Information System.