Implementing Instructional Supervisory Responsibilities in Tanzanian Public Secondary Schools: To What Extent Do Head of Schools Perform their Duty

Abstract

The provision of quality education, among other things, depends on the role played by school heads in handling administrative duties such as the supervision of teachers, who are the key players in curriculum implementation. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which heads of schools discharge their instructional supervisory roles to enhance teachers’ performance in the daily teaching and learning processes. The study was carried out in the Lindi region, Tanzania Mainland in 2021. This study applied mixed methods where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were applied. The study sample comprised of teachers (N=103), heads of schools (N=57) and class masters (N=11) from 57 randomly selected public secondary schools. Data was collected through questionnaires, focus group discussions and interviews. Data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches where quantitatively researcher employed descriptive and inferential statistics and presented results with frequencies and percentages. Qualitatively a researcher employed a thematic analysis method for identifying and reporting patterns/themes in the data. The study findings revealed that heads of schools failed to discharge their instructional supervisory responsibilities, as teachers were not punctual in attending to schools. There was no regular checking of teachers’ professional records except once in the year or by school inspectors. Heads of schools did not supervise teachers on how effectively they could handle students’ assessments. Noted was also a lack of instructional resources in schools. For improvement of the provision of quality education it is recommended that heads of schools effectively discharge their duties and where their setbacks, like lack of accommodation around the school, few teachers and lack of instructional resources, they should contact relevant bodies from both government and non-government sectors work together in making friendly teaching environment. Moreover, heads of schools encourage teachers’ creativity in using improvised local resources whenever and wherever possible.