Influence of Principals’ Instructional Supervision Practices on Students’ Kcse Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Mwala Sub - County

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of principals’ instructional supervision practices on students’ KCSE performance in public secondary schools in mwala sub county. The objectives that guided the study were to establish how principals’ classroom visitations influence students’ academic performance in KCSE in Mwala sub county, to determine the extent to which checking of teachers’ work records by the principal influences students’ KCSE performance in Mwala sub county, to establish how checking of students’ academic records by the principal influences students’ KCSE performance in Mwala sub county and to determine the extent to which principals involvement in teaching influences students’ performance in KCSE in public secondary schools in Mwala sub county. Descriptive survey design was used in this study to establish the influence of principals’ instructional supervision practices on students’ KCSE performance. The sample population comprised of seven public secondary schools in the sub county, seven principals and eighty six teachers. Data was collected by use questionnaires for teachers and interview schedules for principals. Before embarking on data collection, authority to conduct research was obtained from relevant authorities. First a letter from department of Educational Administration and planning which enabled the researcher seek a research permit from the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation. Permission to conduct research was also sought from the Director of Education Machakos county and the county commissioner Machakos county.Data collected was analysed using frequency tables, percentages, pie charts and bar graphs. Key of the findings from the study were that lesson plans and schemes of work were checked by principals but assessment of students’ records and teacher’s lesson notes were irregular. The study concluded that class observation was not frequent. The study also found out that although most principals were allocated lessons to teach, majority did not attend such lessons. The study concluded that principals’ class visitations influenced students’ performance in KCSE. The study also concluded that checking of teachers’ work records and students’ academic records significantly affected KCSE performance. It recommended that principals should enhance classroom visitations; principals enforce preparation of documents by teachers and principals to check students’ academic records. The principal should also be involved in teaching so that he/she can have a feel of the kind of students and the class challenges if any. A study with a bigger scope was a suggestion of the study to establish if influence of principals supervisory practices on academic performance of students in mwala sub county apply to other areas of the nation.