INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISION OF SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS WITHIN THE AOWIN DISTRICT

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to examine the state of Instructional supervision of Social Studies teachers in public basic junior high schools in the Aowin District in the Western Region of Ghana. The study employed descriptive survey as research design. The study engaged multi-stage sampling using stratified, simple random and quota sampling techniques to sample two hundred and ten (210) respondents. Questionnaire and interview guide were the main instruments used for data collection. From the study findings, the major causes of poor supervisory techniques by headteachers and Circuit Supervisors in the Aowin District are lack of funds, inadequate materials for instructional supervision and no support from the district directorate, lack of skills and knowledge for instructional supervision and inadequate training for the supervisors. Also, the finding from the study indicated that most challenges faced by headteachers and circuit supervisors in discharging their duties was financial constraints which lead to inability to procure logistics and materials, as well as inability to motivate headteachers and circuit supervisors. The study portrayed that the various ways by which instructional supervision of headteachers and circuit supervisors could be improved are periodic training on modern trends in instructional supervision, provision of adequate and sufficient materials for instructional supervision among others. Based on the findings, some of the recommendations made were; the Head of Inspectorate Unit in Aowin District of Education should put an interim supervision training programme in place to orientate Circuit Supervisors and Headmasters before taking up their appointments. The challenges of supervisors should be met by the District Director of Education and the Ministry of Education should supply cars to Circuit Supervisors to enhance their mobility. There should be regular supply of fuel to Circuit Supervisors by the District Directors. Accommodation should be provided to the Circuit Supervisors and the Headmasters by the Ghana Education Service