The Contribution Of School Inspection In Improving Teaching And Learning In Tanzanian Secondary Schools: A Case Of Mbeya City

ABSTRACT

This study aimed at assessing the contribution of school inspection in improving

teaching and learning in secondary schools in Mbeya City. The study was guided by

two theories, namely Scientific Management and Human relation theories.

Itemployed descriptive research design and the data were collected through

questionnaires, interviews and documentary review. Respondents were selected

through purposive and simple random sampling techniques and made a total of 108.

This sample composition included 90 teachers, 10 heads of schools, 7 school

inspectors, and 1 DEO. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis while

quantitative data were analysed statistically with the help of SPSS version 20.

The findings from the study indicated that school inspection contribute to the

improvement of teaching and learning in secondary schools. Through the support

received from the school inspectors, teachers develop the professional skills that are

useful for the improvement of their work performance. The findings also indicated

that the provision of seminars and educational workshops to teachers was the most

relevant strategy towards improving the teaching and learning. Teachers viewed such

seminars and workshops to improve their competences in helping the students

learning. The findings indicated further that school inspectorate department faced the

challenges of lack of financial resources, lack ofimplementation of the school

inspection recommendation reports and the inadequate support from the teachers

during the school inspection days.

It is recommended that the government needs to ensure that the supportive measures

are taken to make the school inspectors fully function by providing enough facilities

and to ensure that the school inspection reports and recommendations are

implemented by the educational authorities within Mbeya City Council.