Influence of conflict of interest on instructional supervision by head teachers in public secondary schools, Meru South District, Kenya

Abstract

The study investigated the influence of conflicts of interests on instructional supervision by head teachers in public secondary schools in Meru South District. The study was based on five objectives; to determine how the head teacher's personal interest on management of school finance affects instructional supervision, to establish how the head teacher's interest on family role affect instructional supervision, to determine the extent to which head teacher's interest on provision of teaching and learning materials influence instructional supervision, how the head teacher's personal interest on allocation of duties to teachers affects instructional supervision and how the personal interests of the head teacher on preparation and checking of professional documents affects instruction supervision.

The study used descriptive survey design after which inferences were made. A sample size of 34 head teachers and 86 teachers was selected through simple random sampling. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The data collected from the respondents was analysed through descriptive statistics and then summarized in graphs and pie charts.

From the study the researcher found that the head teachers interest on family role influenced instructional supervision. It was also found that the head teacher's personal interest on management of school finances interfered with their instructional supervision role. From the study it was also found that the head teacher's interest on procurement, which involves provision of teaching materials existed and it affected instruction supervision.

Conclusions were drawn from the findings that the head teachers, conflicts of interest, based on financial management, family role, procurement and delegation of duties affected their role of instruction supervision. The findings were from the responses given by the head teachers and teachers. Based on the findings the following recommendations were made. The government through the MoE should ensure that head teachers go through a course on conflict of interest management before taking office. These courses should be through in-service courses or seminars. There should be close and regular monitoring of head teachers on performance of their role of instructional supervision. In light of the findings and recommendations the following suggestions for further research were made; 1. The same study be carried out in other districts to find out if the results are applicable elsewhere. 2. Study on the influence of conflicts of interest by other education stakeholders like teachers, non teaching staffs or BOG on their roles.