THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPERVISION OF INSTRUCTIONS IN THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (JHS) LEVEL: A CASE STUDY OF THE DICHEMSO AND ASHTOWN CIRCUIT IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

This research sought to examine the effectiveness of supervision of instructions in the Junior High School (JHS) level using a case study of the Dichemso and Ashtown circuit in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study population included all circuit supervisors, teachers and managements of public educational institutions in the district. The study utilized a quantitative research approach along with a descriptive research design. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 200 respondents. The study adopted both purposive sampling and simple random methods. The quantitative data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using mean and standard deviation. Findings showed that supervision practices employed by circuit supervisors in junior high schools in the Dichemso and Ashtown circuit in the Kumasi metropolis were generally effective. Supervision practices in the district were found to include making unannounced visits to schools on a regular basis, inspecting lesson notes, listening to teachers, giving teachers both praise, feedback, advise and admonishment, recommending in-service training, using questions to guide students and in some instances observing classroom activities. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the Ghana Education Service equips supervisor with the necessary materials to enhance their output and in addition, provide clear guidelines on supervision processes and methodologies to guide the conduct of supervisors in their interaction with teachers. there is also a need to re-orient all actors in the supervision process to re-energize the system and make supervision an effective tools for ensuring instructional quality. Finally, stakeholders in the educational system are encouraged to take measures to discourage the use of threats and harsh words in the supervision process.