Evaluating the higher national diploma industrial art programme of tamale technical university in Ghana: Curriculum versus implementation

AbstractIn Ghana’s Polytechnics/Technical Universities, the Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes are ran to provide the country with its middle-skilled manpower base in science, engineering, technology, commerce and art for socio-economic development. However, the HND Industrial Art Programme of Tamale Technical University begun in 2008/2009 academic year and has since run up-to-date with options in Painting and Decorating (P/D), Leatherwork, Textiles and Ceramics without any form of evaluation to ascertain its impact in the country despite the numerous calls from stakeholders. Therefore, the study sought to examine the impact of the HND Industrial Art Programme of Tamale Technical University on the Art Industry in Ghana. To conduct the study, the main objective was to evaluate the scope and content of the curriculum of the HND Industrial Art Programme with reference to its implementation in the University. The Concurrent Triangulation Mixed-Method research design involving both qualitative (case study, document and descriptive analysis) and quantitative research were adopted to undertake the research. Questionnaire, interview and observation guides were relied as tools to collect data for the study. A sample population of 223 (present students: 57, graduates: 137, lecturers/technicians: 13 and industrial attachment supervisors: 16) was selected using purposive, random and snowball sampling techniques. From the study, the major finding is that, the curricula of the programme’s options provided students with knowledge and skills required in their respective industries as conceived by the Department. Nonetheless, with time and advancement in technology as being noted in the industry, some of the courses require review to catch up with industry standards. The findings from the study have implication on the training of students in the Country. It is therefore recommended that appropriate steps should be taken in conjunction with relevant stakeholders to have a holistic review of the curriculum to make it relevant.