Assessing and Improving Teaching Space Utilization for Operational Efficiency: A Study in a Ghanaian Tertiary Institution

The issue of inadequate teaching space facilities in tertiary institutions in Ghana could be addressed through efficient utilization of existing facilities. Underutilized teaching space facilities can result in unnecessary institutional costs. Therefore, management needs to rigorously assess how their physical teaching spaces are being utilized, rather than simply assuming they are insufficient. This article aims to assess the utilization of physical teaching space facilities and explore measures for efficient utilization. The study is grounded in facility management theory, adopting a convergent parallel mixed-method design anchored in pragmatic philosophical assumptions. The population for the study consists of 9 academic administrators who are involved in matters relating to teaching space facilities and 26 general-purpose lecture rooms. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to select the nine (9) academic administrators, while a census sampling technique was used to select all the 26 general-purpose lecture rooms. Observation checklists and interview guides were utilized for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and thematic analysis techniques. The study found that general-purpose lecture rooms achieved a low Global Utilization Rate (GUR) of 41.5%, indicating underutilization of the lecture facility. The study further revealed the role of proper planning and coordination in achieving efficient space utilization. The study recommends that management revise its academic timetables to achieve a more balanced distribution of classes and also provide additional facilities to prevent overcrowding, ensuring adequate space for all students.