THE ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL SUPERVISION IN ENSURING QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION DELIVERY IN THE ZABZUGU DISTRICT

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the role of educational supervision in ensuring quality basic education delivery in the Zabzugu district in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study was based on the premise that the poor nature of educational supervision often leads to poor quality basic education delivery, and thus falling standards of education in the public schools in the district. In all, five circuit supervisors, five DOEC members, 20 SMC/PTA executives, 10 head teachers, and 97 teachers were selected using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data collection methods such as focus group discussion, key informant interviews, observation as well as questionnaire were used to facilitate the data collection process. The study revealed mixed findings; as 96% respondents admitted that supervision was the main reason for their regular school attendance, and 95% also affirmed that educational supervision impacted positively on their lesson preparation and delivery experiences, field observation carried out to inspect teachers’ lesson notes books, school attendance registers, and to observe lesson delivery revealed a contrary situation. In addition, the study revealed that educational supervision increased teachers’ awareness of their professional responsibilities and their alertness to their leadership and professional task performance in lesson preparation and delivery as well as in the giving and marking of exercises. But all these findings are challenged bythe practical situation at play resulting from weak supervision. In spite the efforts of stakeholdersofeducationinthedistricttoenhanceeducationalsupervisionbyputtingsome strategies in place, they still grappled with challenges of a weak DEOC, untrained circuit supervisors, weak SMCs/PTAs, financial constraints, and teacher attrition, among others. It is therefore recommended that the Managers of education in the Zabzugu district should revamp the DEOC and strengthen their SMCs/PTAs as well as link up with Colleges of education to provide on the-job-capacity building training for circuit supervisors to enhance their effectiveness.