Factors influencing the role of quality assurance and standards officers in primary school curriculum implementation in Kitui County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the factors influencing the role of QASOs in curriculum implementation in Kitui central Kalundu zone. Four research objectives were formulated to guide the study. This research adopted a descriptive survey. The sample comprised of 7 headteachers, 47 teachers and 2 QASOs. Data were collected by use of questionnaires and interview schedule. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyse data.

Findings also revealed that the QASOs were not able to supervise every teacher during their visits. Findings also revealed that QASO visits were not announced and they conduct spot check. It was further noted that QASOs had plan of actions made during the visits, they indiacted that they made follow up to see whether the previous recommemdations made had been implemented. The findings indicated that QASOs made arrangments to meet all teachers as group and discuss perfomance and syallabus coverage.' The findings also indicated that to check of syallabus coverage, the QASOs checked on pupils work books and teachers professional records.

The QASOs indicated that inorder to improve the perfomance, they (QASOs) had organized bench marking organized cluster meeting and invited guest speakers. The findings from Headtechaers and teachers towards the QASOs visits indicated that they don't mind QASOs visit every month since they felt QASOs would enable them to discuss the challenges they faced at school.

The study recommended that the government should avail the required resources to facilitate supervision by the QASO and add mor~ QASOs in the field. Teachers should cultivate positive perception towards supervision and inspection while the QASO should conduct supervision with an aim of assisting teachers in teaching and learning. Taking the limitations and delimitations of the study, it was suggested that a study on the effect of supervision and inspection on academic performance should be conducted. An investigation on the role of supervision on school policy development should be conducted while a study on relationship between head teacher training and its effect on supervision of school should be conducted.