The Role Of Quality Assurance And Standard Officers In Promoting Education In Private Secondary Schools In Limuru District, Kiambu County

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of Quality Assurance and Standard Officers in promoting education in private secondary schools in Limuru district, Kiambu County, with a view of finding out how QASOs’ supervisory role enhances the quality of education and frequency of carrying out supervision. The study objectives were; investigate the role of QASOs in promoting staff development; and to establish the extent to which QASOs monitor education standards based on all round performance indicators in private secondary schools in Limuru District Kiambu County. The study employed a descriptive survey design targeting all the Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASOs), the District Education Officer (DEO), teachers, and head teachers of all the private secondary schools in Limuru district. Ten private schools were randomly sampled to take part in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 principals, one Quality Assurance and Standards Officer and one District Education Officer. Thirty teachers from the sampled schools were randomly selected to take part, giving rise to 42 participants. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. Before the actual data collection a pilot study was carried out to help improve the validity and reliability of the instruments. The research yielded data that requires both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the quantitative data obtained. The statistics used include frequency counts, percentages means and standard deviations. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically in line with the research questions. Then results of data analysis were presented using frequency tables. The study established that QASOs supervision had a positive impact towards staff development in Limuru district. The study established that the exercise helped both principals and teachers to perform their duties more effectively and also became better educators. The major roles played by QASOs during curriculum supervision were visiting teachers in the classroom to observe their teaching methodologies; checking lesson preparation, checking records and schemes of work and also ensuring teachers have adequate teaching and learning materials. Regarding the extent to which QASOs’ activities address all round performance indicators, the study concludes that the major activities that QASOs in Limuru districts engaged in were monitoring and advising schools on academic performance; advising schools on sports, games, drama and music; and advising on curriculum delivery and assessment. However, the results of the analysis revealed that majority of the QASOs were not engaging in monitoring and advising schools on environmental conservation and school provision of career guidance. The major challenges experienced by QASOs while carrying out their roles were poor transport system, inadequate directorate of quality assurance and standard staffs, lack of qualified personnel in the directorate and teachers’ negative attitude towards the officers. From the findings the study finally concludes that without proper supervision by the QASOs, the education system will be jeopardized and its implications will lead to poor quality education and outcome. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education should allocate more funds towards recruitment of the QASOs to curb the problem of understaffing in the district; QASOs should visit schools more frequently for supervision and also have a follow-up mechanism in order to ensure that their recommendations are implemented; among other recommendations.