| dc.description.abstract | Supervision entail one of quality assurance techniques that are used to ascertain that teachers
conduct teaching within the expected level of student engagement and school academic
performance. This study was conceptualized out of the current demand for intensive school-based
instructional supervision to mitigate increasing reports of low teachers’ academic performance and
inadequate by the QASO officers in Kenyan public secondary schools. Noting that teaching
supervision is first lined as a duty of quality assurance of both HODs and principals, the present
study examined the influence of supervision practices on teachers’ academic performance in public
secondary schools. Specifically, the study covered the contribution of classroom visits on teachers’
performance; influence of classroom observations on teachers’ performance; evaluate the degree
to which checking of professional records influences teachers’ performance; and examine the work
related barriers that affect the supervisory duties of QASO officers in the county. The investigation
employed descriptive survey research design and targeted a population of 8 principals, 48 HODs
and one Sub-County CASO. The census method was used to select all the 57 participants to form
the study sample size. Survey questionnaire was adopted to collect primary data from HODs and
principals where interview schedule was adopted for the QASO officer and document analysis
guide. A pilot study was carried among three principals, 18 HODs and three Sub-County QASO
who were not within the study location. The gathered information was validated, then coded and
analyzed through descriptive statistics and content analysis. The study findings established that the
principals and HODs observed and evaluated teachers through face to face visits, they have
prepared a timetable to regulate time for the entire school, they checked whether each class
contained a copy of timetable which is used in the classroom lessons to ensure that the respective
parts of the lesson plan cover the allocated time for effective management of time. The research
also confirmed the availability of learning and teaching resources but at the same time this
resources were not adequate. Also, it was indicated that QASO officers were limited with finances
which restricted them from visiting and supervising public secondary schools on regular basis as
required. The financial constraints which was as a result of delayed and poor fees payment
inhibited provision of prerequisite facilities to attain the set education objectives that is academic
improvement. Teacher turn-over and insufficient staffing has resulted to some public secondary
schools to opt for BOM teachers so that to manage the work load. This has resulted to some schools
to contain more BOM teachers than TSC teachers which heighten financial constraints. Thus, it
was recommended that principals of the public secondary schools increase the frequency of
classroom visitation by designing an elaborate plan on how to do it and spread it across all the
classes. Moreover, principals should make a routine in checking of student’s exercise books more
often so that they are capable to contain an overall picture on lessons taught in classes in order for
them to be well informed on the areas to be corrected and detect laxity in teacher. Principals should
make sure that they regularly check professional documents of teachers to design strategies for
example on a weekly basis, teachers submit records to close-check on the instructional processes
in public secondary schools. Finally, the QASO officers should make sure that the respective
principals optimize instructional time and monitor closely academic achievement of students. The
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use of workshops seminars will assist to strengthen classroom visits of principals in order to adhere
to lessons and provide feedback to teachers. It was suggested that further research to be conducted
to investigate the role of principal in the administration and management of curriculum instruction
on students’ academic attainment | en_US |
