The role of the district inspectors in improvement of primary schools teaching in selected primary schools in Mukono District. (A case of Mukono and Buikwe Counties)

Abstract

The study was conducted to find out whether the District inspectors of schools support the teachers’ to improve on classroom teaching practices and give them assistance and general guidance in primary schools in Mukono district. The rationale of this study was to investigate the role of the District Inspectors in the improvement of primary school teaching. This study was carried out in primary schools in Buikwe and Mukono counties, Mukono district. It was carried out using self administered questionnaire and an interview guide. It was guided by research questions as well as objectives which were centered on the role of District Inspectors of schools in supporting teachers in the classroom situation, the factors that make the inspection of primary schools ineffective and the perceived role of the District Inspectors by head teachers and teachers towards school inspection. A cross sectional survey study was considered more appropriate in achieving the objectives of the study. The results of the study were analysed and presented according to the themes in the literature. The findings revealed that inspection programmes are necessary to improve on the quality of education offered in primary schools, where by classroom teaching is very effective. It was also found out inspectors who are the custodians of quality control in schools do not fulfill their designated roles as expected. From the study findings, a number of conclusions were drawn which include; The teachers believe that inspection programmes should be emphasized because they help them improve on their classroom teaching practices. Inspectors have not effectively performed their work in regard to giving teachers professional support during classroom instruction. It was also found out teachers’ perceived role of the District Inspectors as an occasion of anxiety and emotional stress. It was also revealed that there is limited logistics and human resource to facilitate the work of the District Inspectors of schools. It is recommended that senior managers in schools should form a partnership with the District Inspectors to have more consistent inspection programs. Government should consider developing inspection committees at sub-county to oversee and monitor the teaching practices in primary schools in the sub-county. Inspection programmes should be critically reviewed with a view of effective improving and strengthening the professional approach of district inspectors to enable them give constructive feedback and advice to teachers to improve on their practice.