The Role Of Secondary Inspectorate Department In Enhancing Students’ Performance: A Case Of Arusha District Council

ABSTRACT

This study was concerned with the role of secondary school inspectorate department on enhancing students‟ performance. The main aim was to explore the extent to which school inspection has an impact upon students‟ performance. The study was essentially quntitative with some aspects of a qualitative approach and it employed 61 respondents. These were 50 teachers, 8 school inspectors, 1 chief inspector, 1 district education officer, 1 district executive director. Empirical data were collected through questionnaires, interview and from documentary evidence. The findings of the study indicate that school inspection plays a potential role towards improving teaching and learning. Teachers perceived the advice and feedback given through inspection reports and recommendations were useful for making improvements in their work performance However when they left, teachers found it difficult to implement due to poor communication such as harsh language used. The study also found that inspections reports and recommendations were not acted upon by the respective authorities to bring about effective impact on teaching and learning. Likewise the study unveils that, to a greater extent school inspectors do not succeed in establishing positive relations with teachers. The study further reveals that, school inspectors judge the performance of the schools based on schemes of work, lesson plans and pupils‟ exercise books ; whereas classroom observations are not effectively carried out From the above findings, the study recommends the government to commit more resources towards school inspectorate department for effective monitoring of the quality education provided.