Influence of quality assurance and standards officers’ activities on academic performance in public secondary schools in Trans-nzoia east sub county, Kenya
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of Quality Assurance and
Standards Officers‟ (QASOs) activities on academic performance in public
secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia East Sub County, Kenya to enhance quality
education. The study was guided by six research objectives The objectives of
the study were as follows: to determine whether Quality Assurance and
Standards Officers are adequately trained to handle secondary school
curriculum supervision; to establish teachers‟ perceptions towards QASOs
school visits for Quality Assurance and Standards assessment; to find out the
usefulness of QASOs assessment reports on academic performance of schools
in national examinations; to establish how QASOs frequency of school visits
and supervision of curriculum implementation influence academic
performance; to establish how class room lesson observation affect academic
performance and to determine the influence of the systems for monitoring
student progress and achievement on academic performance. The study
adopted a descriptive survey research design. The sample population was
selected using Yamane‟s formula with probability to sample ratio at 10%
consisting of 1 SCEO, 41 head teachers, 6 QASOs, 41 school DOSs/QASOs
and 2011 to 2013 KCSE results for 2467 candidates. The study used stratified
sampling. Findings revealed that 60.0% SCEOs and QASOs had received
induction workshops on assessment process with no further training. The
study also found that 30(37.5%) of teachers strongly agreed that QASOs had
effective assessment reports. Data further shows that 25(31.3%) of teachers
strongly agreed that QASOs reports help to plan and improve the standards of
education that are being offered to the students. Frequency of school visits
were once a term by QASOs as indicated by 81.3% of teachers and were
routine. The study also found that class room lesson observation influences
academic performance. The study concluded that SCEO and QASOs were
perceived by teachers to be very helpful in the role of preparation and keeping
of teaching records. The study recommended that the government should avail
the required resources to facilitate supervision by the QASOs. Teachers should
cultivate positive perception towards supervision and inspection by
conducting supervision with an aim of assisting teachers in teaching and
learning. There is need for the DQASOs to be empowered. This may be made
possible if the directorate has autonomy. In that case, the department will
receive direct funding without going through the County Education Offices.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [6020]