Influence of Quality Assurance and Standards Officers on Implementation of Co-curricular Activities in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya: Case of Migwani Sub County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the supervisory role of Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASOs) in implementing co-curricular activities in public secondary schools in Migwani Sub-County of Kitui County. The study objectives were: to establish the extent to which the Quality Assurance and Standards Officers‟ level of training affect the implementation of the co-curricular policy in schools, to determine the extent to which QASOs‟ assessment reports influence the implementation of co-curricular activities in secondary schools, and to establish how QASOs‟ frequency of school visits influence the implementation of co-curricular activities in secondary schools. A survey research design was carried out in public Secondary schools in Migwani Sub-County, Kitui County based on co-curricular policy implementation. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used in data collection. The target population was drawn from 44 principals, 44 games masters and one QASO in the sub-county. The sample size for the study was 14 head teachers, 14 games masters and one QASO. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of the collected data. The calculations were done using the statistics package of Social Sciences computer program version 20.0 of International Business Management. The findings of the study were; activities is = + 0.694 with 0.000 significant level. There is a strong positive relationship (r = 0.811) between QASO visits and implementation of co- curricular activities. The factors (QASO training, reports and visits) significantly predict the implementation of co-curricular activities. It can be noted that the independent variables are significant at 0.05% significant level (p=0.00). The recommendations of the study were; the government should continually in-service the QASOs on the implementation of co-curricular activities. This would improve the schools performance in co-curricular activities, the QASOs should improve on the compiling of reports so that they can give immediate feedback to schools on co-curricular activities and the QASOs should increase the number of visits to schools so as to offer continuous advice on implementation of co-curricular activities.