Influence of Principals’ Classroom Observation on Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Kuresoi North Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The academic performance of candidates at the KCSE level in Kuresoi North Sub County for the last four years has been low. The low performance has denied students an opportunity to further their studies and realise their dreams. It is for this reason that this study is set to examine the influence of principals’ classroom observation on academic performance in public secondary schools in Kuresoi North Sub-County, Kenya. The study was informed by Symbolic Interactionism Theory by Blumer (1969). The study employed a mixed-method approach where a descriptive survey design was used. A total of 2,767 form four students, 58 form four class teachers, and 23 principals constituted the population of the study. The sample population was obtained using a stratified simple sampling procedure to obtain 22 principals from sampled schools. To draw a sample of 337 students and 50 class teachers, simple random sampling was used. Questionnaires and interview schedules were the main research instruments for collecting data for the study. The instrument reliability was determined by piloting at two secondary schools (5%), whereby the data obtained during piloting was analysed, and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of 0.82 was determined. Quantitative data collected was analysed using SPSS 23, while qualitative data was discussed thematically. The analysed data were presented in pie charts, bar graphs, and means and standard deviations worked out for quantitative data. The study found that most principals move around the classrooms observing teaching activities as well as giving guidance during classroom observation. The study recommended that principals ought to regularly check the students’ exercise books. The results of this study will be useful to the various education stakeholders in Kuresoi North Sub-County in identifying the possible influence of principals’ supervision roles on the academic performance of form four candidates in Kuresoi North Sub-County, Kenya