The Role of Head Teachers in Ensuring Quality and Standards in Secondary Schools: Evidence from Schools in Eldoret West District in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of head teachers in enforcing quality assurance and standards in secondary schools in Eldoret West Distrct. Based on the findings of the study, this paper specifically examines the role of the head teachers in ensuring quality and standards in secondary schools. The study utilized the descriptive research design. The study targeted head teachers and teachers in both public and private secondary schools in Eldoret West District. To obtain the study sample, the target population was stratified into two categories, i.e. private and public schools. From each stratum, 30 per cent of the total numbers of schools were selected for inclusion in the study. All the head teachers from the selected schools automatically qualified to participate while the teachers were selected through simple random sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview schedule. The collected data was analyzed descriptively using means and percentages. This is because the mean is considered as the most efficient measure of central tendency. The data analysis was done with the aid of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software which makes it easy to compare variables whose relationships are being studied. The study findings revealed that the procedure of supervision involved the head teacher calling a meeting to discuss the purpose of supervision, the objectives of supervision, both parties agreeing on the objectives and as well as determining the criteria of supervision. The role of the head teacher in supervision include: enforcing teacher compliance with quality and standards in teaching, providing leadership towards enforcing quality and standards, providing moral and material support and motivating the teachers during the process of supervision. The study recommends that there is need to incorporate the elements of quality and standards in the supervision criteria and purpose.