Influence of supervisory role of public primary school headteachers on pupils performance in KCPE: a case of Kitui Central district

Abstract

A quick look at examination analysis reports at Kitui DEO's office indicates that in the year 2009, the District attained a mean score of 238 out of 500. In the year 2010, the mean score was 237 while in 2011, it was 224. This not only shows a decline year after year but is also proof that KCPE performance is poor. The primary intent of this study was to establish the influence of the supervisory role of the head teachers in public primary schools on KCPE performance in Kitui Central District. To achieve this objective, the study sought to establish the influence of the supervisory tools, examine the influence of the head teacher's professional qualification, determine the relationship between the head teacher's supervisory style, and how the teaching and experience of the head teacher influence pupil performance in KCPE. The study employed the descriptive survey design.

The target population of this study was all teachers and head teachers of public primary schools in Kenya. The accessible population was teachers and head teachers from sixty seven (67) public primary schools in Kitui Central District. A sample of ninety eight (98) teachers and thirteen (13) head teachers was selected by stratified random sampling. The study used two questionnaires; one for the teachers and another for the head teachers. It also used an interview guide consisting eight (8) questions for the EO and TAC tutors. The questionnaires and interview guide were validated by research experts and piloted before use for data collection.

The study established that supervisory tools used by head teachers greatly influenced the performance of the pupils in KCPE. The study established that head teachers' professional qualification and supervisory styles influenced pupil's performance. The study recommends that all head teachers are in serviced all inducted on the different supervisory tools that can be used in school management.

The head teachers should be encouraged to go for further studies since those who have higher professional qualifications seem to have better supervisory skills hence improving performance in KCPE and recommends that the Ministry of Education reward teachers and head teachers on the basis of teaching experience and qualifications. The study suggests that further research be done on other roles played by school head teachers which are likely to influence the performance of pupils in KCPE.

Key words: Supervisory role, Head teacher, Pupils' performance, Public primary schools, Kitui central District, KCPE