Assessment of Teachers' Attitudes Towards Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in Basic Schools in the North-Dayi District-Ghana


Authors : Mawunyo Korku Metsiwodzi

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 7 - July


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3jphfxpk

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3kfhznjh

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25jul1214

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Abstract : This study assessed teachers’ attitudes toward Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in basic schools within the North-Dayi District of Ghana, using a mixed-methods approach with a concurrent design. The study involved 214 teachers selected through stratified random sampling and 10 head teachers purposively chosen based on data saturation. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results from 144 valid responses were analyzed and completed questionnaires revealed a predominantly female, mid-career, and academically qualified teaching workforce. Most teachers held positive attitudes toward PLCs, agreeing that they promote collaboration, improve instructional strategies, and support professional development. High mean scores indicated strong satisfaction with working in collaborative settings, openness to new teaching strategies, and recognition of PLCs as supportive environments. However, the study also identified motivational gaps, as some teachers reported a lack of enthusiasm to fully engage in PLC activities. Head teachers echoed these findings, acknowledging varying levels of teacher participation but noting the overall effectiveness of PLCs in their schools. The results suggest that while PLCs are generally well-regarded, their full potential is hindered by institutional challenges such as limited time, leadership support, and workload constraints. The study recommends strengthening leadership support, incentivizing teacher participation, promoting peer mentoring, and instituting regular monitoring and evaluation of PLC activities. Addressing these areas can help sustain and expand the positive impact of PLCs on teacher development and student learning outcomes in the district. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge supporting collaborative professional development in basic education settings.

Keywords : Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Teacher Attitudes, Basic Schools, North-Dayi District, Teacher Collaboration.

References :

  1. Addae-Kyeremeh, E., & Boateng, F. (2024). New national teacher education curriculum in Ghana: Successes and challenges. In Practitioner research in college-based education (pp. 233-266). IGI Global.
  2. Al-Yahmadi, H. (2023). Impact of professional learning communities on teacher professional development in Oman. MOJEM: Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Management, 11(3), 48–62. https://mjs.um.edu.my/index.php/MOJEM/article/view/44985
  3. Amzat, I. H., & Valdez, N. P. (2017). Teacher empowerment toward professional development and practices. Sharing school leadership: Principalship empowerment or relegation, 43-58.
  4. Dampson, D. G. (2021). Effectiveness of professional learning communities in Ghanaian basic schools through the lenses of socio-cultural theory. Journal of Educational Issues7(2), 338-354.
  5. Doğan, S. and Adams, A., (2018). Effect of professional learning communities on teachers and students: reporting updated results and raising questions about research design. School effectiveness and school improvement, 29 (4), 634–659. doi:10.1080/09243453.2018.1500921
  6. Dogan, S., Pringle, R., & Mesa, J. (2016). The impacts of professional learning communities on science teachers’ knowledge, practice and student learning: A review. Professional development in education42(4), 569-588.
  7. Harvey, F., & Teledahl, A. (2022). Characteristics of collaborative learning in teacher professional development: A systematic review. Mathematics Teacher Education and Development24(1), 72-95.
  8. Ishak, R., Ismail, K., & Kamaruddin, S. H. (2020). Professional learning communities in Malaysian schools: A contemporary literature review. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(4), 1535–1541. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.080447
  9. Liu, Y. (2025). Multi-stakeholder collaboration in an online professional learning community: Co-constructing professional learning. International Journal of Educational Research133, 102668.
  10. Lutfia, Annisa & Sa’ud, Udin & Nurdin, Diding & Meirawan, Danny. (2022). Effectiveness of professional learning community programmes to improve school quality. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences. 17. 4570-4582. 10.18844/cjes. v17i12.8073.
  11. Opara, I. J., Eke, M. O., & Iheanacho, C. U. (2023). Professional Learning Community (PLC) as an Effective Strategy for Improving Teachers’ Professional Practice: Implications to Educational Planning. Socialscientia: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities8(4).
  12. Othman, S., Jamian, A. R., Sabil, A. M., Said, R. R., & Omar, R. (2019). A professional learning community strategy towards students’ achievements. International Journal of Innovation. Creativity and Change7(7), 16-28.
  13. Seymour, K. (2017). Shared leadership, professional learning communities, and teacher self-efficacy: How one impacts the other (Doctoral dissertation, Middle Tennessee State University).
  14. Sutula, E. (2017). A Study of the Relationship between Continuous Professional Learning Community Implementation and Student Achievement in a Large Urban School District.
  15. Valckx, J., Devos, G., & Vanderlinde, R. (2018). Exploring the relationship between professional learning community characteristics in departments, teachers’ professional development, and leadership. Pedagogische studiën95(1), 34-55.

This study assessed teachers’ attitudes toward Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in basic schools within the North-Dayi District of Ghana, using a mixed-methods approach with a concurrent design. The study involved 214 teachers selected through stratified random sampling and 10 head teachers purposively chosen based on data saturation. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results from 144 valid responses were analyzed and completed questionnaires revealed a predominantly female, mid-career, and academically qualified teaching workforce. Most teachers held positive attitudes toward PLCs, agreeing that they promote collaboration, improve instructional strategies, and support professional development. High mean scores indicated strong satisfaction with working in collaborative settings, openness to new teaching strategies, and recognition of PLCs as supportive environments. However, the study also identified motivational gaps, as some teachers reported a lack of enthusiasm to fully engage in PLC activities. Head teachers echoed these findings, acknowledging varying levels of teacher participation but noting the overall effectiveness of PLCs in their schools. The results suggest that while PLCs are generally well-regarded, their full potential is hindered by institutional challenges such as limited time, leadership support, and workload constraints. The study recommends strengthening leadership support, incentivizing teacher participation, promoting peer mentoring, and instituting regular monitoring and evaluation of PLC activities. Addressing these areas can help sustain and expand the positive impact of PLCs on teacher development and student learning outcomes in the district. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge supporting collaborative professional development in basic education settings.

Keywords : Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Teacher Attitudes, Basic Schools, North-Dayi District, Teacher Collaboration.

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Paper Submission Last Date
31 - December - 2025

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