Influence of head teachers’ instructional supervision on pupils’ performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in Public Primary Schools, Suba-West Division, Migori District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the head teachers’ instructional supervision strategies on pupil performance in KCPE in public primary schools in Suba – West Division, Migori District. The objectives were checking of the syllabus coverage, classroom visitation, checking professional records, teachers’ conferences and provision of text books. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study, where a sample of 18 head teachers and 144 teachers were selected giving a total sample size of 162 respondents. The sample was selected through purposeful and random sampling technique.Two questionnaires were administered. One for head teachers and the other one for teachers. The data collected was both qualitative and quantitative.The results of the study suggest that checking of syllabus coverage by the headteachers have an influence on pupils KCPE performance, however, head teachers academic qualification was found to have a significant influence on pupils performance. On whether the frequency of the head teacher’s classroom visitation influenced pupils’ performance, the study established that headteacher’s visitation when the teacher is teaching significantly influenced pupil performance. The study also established that there was a significant effect on performance due to the frequency of head teacher’s checking of teachers’ records of work. The study sought to find the extent to which organized teachers’ conferences by head teachers influenced pupils’ performance. The findings indicated that the frequency of the organized teachers’ conference significantly affected K.C.P.E performance in public primary schools. The findings indicated that head teachers’ frequency of provision of text books significantly affect K.C.P.E performance in public primary schools. The study established that 75.9% of the teachers often trained, an indication that teachers in Suba-West Division are able to improve personal and organizational growth thus boosting the morale and commitment towards teaching. About 33.08% of the teachers confirmed that they regularly attended conferences, workshops and seminars.The study recommends improvement of instructional supervision to enhance syllabus coverage through all classes, having frequent meetings with teachers to improve relationships and adopting instructional supervision strategies that motivate and reward teachers to improve performance. The teachers’ service commission and the other stakeholders should device strategies or schemes towards head teacher’s professional training and academic development to enhance head teacher’s professional qualifications for sustained influence on pupils’ performance.