Influence of quality assurance and standards officers’ activities on academic performance in public secondary schools in Trans-nzoia east sub county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the influence of Quality Assurance and Standards Officers‟ (QASOs) activities on academic performance in public secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia East Sub County, Kenya to enhance quality education. The study was guided by six research objectives The objectives of the study were as follows: to determine whether Quality Assurance and Standards Officers are adequately trained to handle secondary school curriculum supervision; to establish teachers‟ perceptions towards QASOs school visits for Quality Assurance and Standards assessment; to find out the usefulness of QASOs assessment reports on academic performance of schools in national examinations; to establish how QASOs frequency of school visits and supervision of curriculum implementation influence academic performance; to establish how class room lesson observation affect academic performance and to determine the influence of the systems for monitoring student progress and achievement on academic performance. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The sample population was selected using Yamane‟s formula with probability to sample ratio at 10% consisting of 1 SCEO, 41 head teachers, 6 QASOs, 41 school DOSs/QASOs and 2011 to 2013 KCSE results for 2467 candidates. The study used stratified sampling. Findings revealed that 60.0% SCEOs and QASOs had received induction workshops on assessment process with no further training. The study also found that 30(37.5%) of teachers strongly agreed that QASOs had effective assessment reports. Data further shows that 25(31.3%) of teachers strongly agreed that QASOs reports help to plan and improve the standards of education that are being offered to the students. Frequency of school visits were once a term by QASOs as indicated by 81.3% of teachers and were routine. The study also found that class room lesson observation influences academic performance. The study concluded that SCEO and QASOs were perceived by teachers to be very helpful in the role of preparation and keeping of teaching records. The study recommended that the government should avail the required resources to facilitate supervision by the QASOs. Teachers should cultivate positive perception towards supervision and inspection by conducting supervision with an aim of assisting teachers in teaching and learning. There is need for the DQASOs to be empowered. This may be made possible if the directorate has autonomy. In that case, the department will receive direct funding without going through the County Education Offices.