Author: Diana M. Ngole, Demetria Gerold Mkulu

Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to examine the role of heads of schools’ supervision in improving quality of teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Ilemela District, Tanzania. The study was guided by three specific objectives which are to examine strategies used by head of schools in improving quality of teaching and learning, the challenges facing school heads in improving quality of teaching and learning, and possible initiatives used in addressing the challenges hindering effective school heads supervision that aim to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Ilemela District. The study was guided by total quality management theory (TQM). The research employed a mixed approach under convergent parallel research design. The study used a population of 86 comprising of 1 DEO, 4 WEO, 4 Head of Schools, 30 Teachers, and 47 Students. The researcher used questionnaires, interview and focus group discussion for data collection. Data was obtained and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 computer package. The data used descriptive statistics and the findings were presented by use of frequency tables, pie-charts. Also, part of qualitative data coded, categorized and used thematic analysis of which description were employed to present data in chapter four. The study found out that heads of schools are key instructional supervisors in schools. Furthermore, effective supervision was found to be the key factor for the academic performance in schools. The study recommended that heads of schools should be setting time for instructional supervision in schools because it is one of the roles that influence students’ academic achievement positively. Also, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MOEST) should reinforce supervision-based training through seminars, workshops, and refresher courses countrywide for secondary school heads of schools and second masters/mistresses. By so doing, even those who missed out supervision course at the university or college could benefit.

Keywords: School head, Supervision, Public secondary schools, Quality teaching and learning.

Article Info: Received: 03 Nov 2020; Received in revised form: 30 Dec 2020; Accepted: 09 Jan 2021; Available online: 14 Jan 2021

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.61.7