PERCEPTIONS OF GEOGRAPHY AMONG GHANAIAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed at exploring the perceptions of geography among Ghanaian senior high school students. A total of 48 students comprising 24 males and 24 females were selected from two different public senior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana to participate in the study. Data were obtained using in-depth interview and results were processed and analyzed through examination of main themes, differences, and similarities in the responses. Results from the study revealed that more than half of the students interviewed had positive perception of geography in terms of its relevance to man. Regarding the definition and scope of geography, the overwhelming majority of the student respondents perceived geography as a description of the physical environment such as rivers, rocks, the universe, weather and climates, formation of landforms, among others. Others also perceived geography as the drawing of maps to show earth’s features. Interestingly, more than half of the students expressed keener interest in physical geography with reasons being that physical geography lessons are more interesting and practical. Significantly too, most of the students ranked geography as either second or third choice in considering programmes for higher education. The study recommends a further research into how students’ perception of employment prospects in geography influence their attitudes towards geography.This qualitative phenomenological study aimed at exploring the perceptions of geography among Ghanaian senior high school students. A total of 48 students comprising 24 males and 24 females were selected from two different public senior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana to participate in the study. Data were obtained using in-depth interview and results were processed and presented using the thematic analysis approach with reference to the research objectives. Results from the study revealed that more than half of the students interviewed had positive perception of geography in terms of its relevance to people in the society. Regarding the definition and scope of geography, the overwhelming majority of the student respondents perceived geography as a description of the physical environment such as rivers, rocks, the universe, weather and climates, formation of landforms, among others. Others also perceived geography as the drawing of maps to show earth’s features. Interestingly, more than half of the students expressed keener interest in physical geography with reasons being that physical geography lessons are more interesting and practical. More so, the majority of the students viewed geography lessons to be very interesting but difficult as compared to other social science disciplines. Significantly too, most of the students ranked geography as either second or third choice in considering programmes for higher education. The study recommends a further research into how students’ perception of employment prospects in geography influence their attitudes towards geography.