School Based Factors Influencing Head Teachers Supervision In Public Primary Schools In South Pokot Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish school based factors influencing head teachers’ supervision in public primary school in South Pokot Sub-County Kenya. The objectives research aimed to establish the extent to which class size, headteacher’s workload, physical facilities and adequate staff on head teachers’ supervision in public primary school in South Pokot Sub-County Kenya. The study was guided by Theory X and Theory Y and it adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population of this study was from 62 public primary schools in South Pokot Sub-County. Stratified random sampling was applied to select the three QASOs and 19 schools where 19 head teachers were selected. Simple random sampling was used to sample 150 teachers to participate in the study. Questionnaires and Interviews guides were used to collect data from the teachers, head teachers and Quality Assurance and Standard Officers (QASO). Analysis of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was conducted and the results were presented in form of frequency distribution tables. The study achieved 79.1 percent total response rate. From the study findings show that head teachers supervisory role in maintain pupils discipline had a significant role in the class size because they were able to handle the teacher-pupil ratio to offer proper instructional process. Results from these findings showed that a majority of the head teachers were able to balance their workload with supervision practices making them to manage their role as supervisors in public primary schools in South Pokot. The findings show that head teachers workload did not hinder their supervision practices in the schools. On the physical facilities, the teachers strongly disagreed that schools have enough toilets/latrines for all the school members. The study found that majority of schools in South Pokot Sub-County are understaffed. These show that a majority of the schools lacked adequate staff to cater for the instructional needs of the schools which influence head teachers’ supervisions. The researcher concludes that various institutional factors affect supervision of head teachers in South Pokot Sub-County. Supervision was rarely done and when it was carried out the head teachers did not check all aspects and concentrated on the aspects that took little time such as checking schemes of work and lesson plan. Activities such as siting in class to supervise teaching were rarely carried out. The researcher concludes that head teachers’ workload is by far the most significant factor affecting head teachers’ supervision. The researcher recommends that head teachers workload should be reduced to enable him/her focus on their administrative duties. This can be achieved by employing more teachers to take lessons. Support staff such as head teachers’ secretary and bursar would relieve the head teacher of some of the duties. The study suggested that future studies can look at private schools to compare the findings.