the role of school inspection on teacher performance in selected secondary schools in Kaduna south

CHAPTER ONE 1.0 Introduction In this chapter, the underlisted topic shall be discussed Background of the study Statement of the problem Objective of the study Significance of the study Research Question Scope/delimitation of the study Definition of terms 1.1 Background of the Study Inspection is an activity that has been existing as a part of formal education in Nigeria, inspection has held on to its aims and purposes since its inception till now despite the development that has affected education over time. Dubey et al (1979), observed a growing demand for schools in Nigeria and suggested that a control of education could be effectively done by regular inspection and supervision and this has led to the wide inspection network we have today in our country and Kaduna state respectively. There is no school that can be accredited and officially recognized without inspection, inspection provides a medium for testing, measuring, assessing and evaluating the educational capacity and incapability of schools in terms of human and material resources and the overall school system. A good inspection is formal, it is well planned and carried out by a team of inspectors within a designated time frame, it carries out a fill assessment and evaluation of the school system followed by a formal report at the end of the inspection exercise after the full inspection has taken place, other visits may follow which include routine visits, investigation follow-up visits, sampling survey and assessment visits. As already known, teacher performances which refers to the effectiveness of a teacher in his/her work requires a detailed inspection, therefore in order to be successful in the of study, the performance of the teacher with relation to inspection will be showcased. An effective performance on the part of the teacher should not be seen as a spontaneous process but a gradual one that needs close checking and correcting and this is the reason why several routine checks and visits take place at intervals after inspection has taken place. Routine visits Routine visits aim at addressing factors affecting the behaviour and performance of teachers, it helps to give teachers the opportunity to interact with inspectors, comments are usually guided by the specific purpose of the routine visit at that period for e.g. A routine visit may be based on the punctuality of teachers to resumption time or drafting of lesson plan. Investigative visits Investigative visits take place with the aim of addressing administrative problems which can hinder effective teaching and learning in the school. Special visits Special visits are usually planned ahead by the inspector with the aim of addressing problems faced by teachers in teaching specific subjects. A successful inspection is a result of a good relationship between teachers and inspectors, inspectors behaviour towards teachers should be friendly, teachers should be open-minded to criticisms and complaints and should be ready to do their work better. Follow up visits Follow up visits come after all other types of visits have taken place in the school, such visits usually are made by a team of inspectors for the purpose of finding out whether recommendation, corrections and suggestion made during previous visits have been implemented or not. Sampling survey visits take place over a period of time and aims at maintaining and evaluating the performance and to correct the aspect that affects the behaviour and performance of teachers. Assessment visits Assessment visits are usually planned and carried out by a team of inspectors from the ministry of education or the inspectorate division its aim is to monitor and evaluate performance and to correct any wrong observation, it also helps to facilitate and reinforce teaching and learning activities. Inspection should be regular and on time, inspection is more about checking and controlling problems that can hinder effective teaching and learning therefore Inspectors should be more conscious of providing solution than finding problems or faults. The Kaduna state ministry of education established inspectorate divisions around the state in order to maintain good standards in schools. The inspectorate unit in Kaduna state is as old as the establishment of the ministry of education in the then Northern Region of Nigeria (Jatau Yem 1988). The word" inspection " with regards to schools in a lot of cases is seen to have the same meaning as the word "supervision" but there is a clear- cut difference between the two. School supervision can be briefly defined as "all efforts of designated school officials towards providing leadership to the teachers and other educational workers in the improvement of instruction", it also involves the stimulation of professional growth and development of teachers, selection and revision of educational objectives, materials of instruction, methods of teaching, and the evaluation of instruction (The goods dictionary of education 1945) Supervision is perceived as a way of advising, guiding, refreshing, encouraging, stimulating, improving and over-seeing groups with the hope of seeking their cooperation in order for supervisors to be successful in their tasks of supervision. (Dodd 1968 and Ogunsanya, 1985) Supervision is seen as a way of persuading people to desist from applying wrong procedures in carrying out certain functions on their jobs and at the same time trying to emphasize the importance of good human relations in an organisation (Ogunsaju 1983). 1.2 Statement of the Problem The purpose of school inspection is to make an effective teaching and learning process by mainly improving the performance of teachers and the general school system. It is perceived in different ways by people, sometimes it is seen by teachers as a threat and this could have risen as a result of the attitude of inspectors towards teachers and school administration during after inspection exercise and this makes one to wonder if the aim of inspection is actually achieved. This perception of inspection brought about the desire to actually find and study the extent and role school inspection plays in improving teacher performance because a good teacher performance under appropriate school administration will lead to a good learning outcome on the part of the students and an overall accepted standard of education. 1.3 Objective of The Study The objective of the study is to i. Find out how school inspection can affect teachers performance ii. To show-case the impact of a good communication between teacher and inspectors during inspection. 1.4 Significance Of The Study This research work will be beneficial to the government, the ministry of education and other bodies of education in the country for a clear understanding of the link between school inspection and teacher performance in our schools. It will expand teachers' awareness on the role of the school inspection and encourage them to develop a positive mind set towards school inspection, co-operate with inspectors and strive to work better. It will open up the problems faced by teachers as a result of wrong approach by inspectors. It will boost student's performance because an effective teacher working under a conducive school environment under a good administration will always produce better students. The general public will benefit from the study, it will serve as an added knowledge to whoever comes across this research and whoever wants to expand on this research. 1.5 Research Questions The research question carefully selected to meet the requirement of the study are:- 1. Is school inspection effective in the improvement of teacher performance? 2. Does a cordial relationship and effective communication between inspectors and teachers contribute to a successful inspection? 1.6 Scope/Delimitations Of The Study The scope of the study is centered on the role of inspection on teacher performance and is limited to secondary schools in selected areas of Kaduna South. The study is focused on areas which are:- i. The effectiveness of inspection in the improvement of teacher performance. ii. How the relationship between inspectors and teachers affects teachers' performance during inspection. The research is limited only to government schools in randomly in selected areas in Kaduna south. It is limited to the teachers in the selected schools and inspectors in the inspectorate division due to time, school, distance and finance. The research work does not cover the northern area of Kaduna state. 1.7 Definitions Of Terms Inspection: - the word inspection can be briefly defined as a careful look at something or an official visit to a building or organization to check that everything is correct legal and meets the set standards. School Inspection: This can be briefly defined as the series of official visit to a school for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating academic performance and development in the school with the aim of maintaining and improving the quality of learning of students. It looks into all factors that affect learning in the school system. Inspector:- a person employed and assigned by the ministry of education to check, evaluate and bring the reports of the school visited and inspected. Supervision:- can be briefly defined as a close watch, on something or a situation to makes sure that things are properly done. Educational supervision;- can be defined as all efforts of designated school officials towards providing leadership to the teachers and other educational workers in the improvement of instruction. It also involves the stimulation of professional growth and development of teachers, a selection and revision of educational objectives, materials of instruction, methods of teaching and evaluation of instruction. Supervisor:- can be defined as a person whose job is to carefully and closely watch someone or something or an activity to make sure that things are properly done. Director:-one assigned to work as the chief executive of the inspectorate. Inspectorate:- an official organization which sends inspectors to visit places and organizations in order to make sure they are in good conditions and the rules are being obeyed. Reports:- this refers to written information (in the context of the study). Teachers:- is the one employed by the ministry of education and assigned to the school as an instructor to impart the students with knowledge. Teacher Performance:- its meaning with regards to use in this study is the effectiveness of the teacher in carrying out his duties and his attitude to work. Criticisms:- this refers to disapproval (as used in the context of the study). Supervisor:- officers that secretly search and examine in order to know whether rules have been broken.