Management of teaching staff for quality education delivery in selected secondary schools in Nyimba district of eastern province, Zambia.
This study examined the management of teaching staff for quality education delivery in selected secondary schools of Nyimba District Eastern province. The objectives of the study were to identify teacher management strategies employed by head teachers, establish quality assurance mechanisms used in the teaching- learning process, determine challenges faced by schools in their quest to provide quality education and propose strategies on how to enhance quality education delivery. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sample of this study comprised 30 teachers and 20 supervisors bringing the total of 50 respondents. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and the interview guides. The interview guides were used to collect data from supervisors while questionnaires were used to collect information from teachers. Data was analysed thematically and information presented in narrations. The study revealed that strategies employed by head teachers included respect for teachers, teacher group meetings through Continuous Professional Development meeting (CPD), motivation of teachers through awards, non- monetary motivation such as letters of commendation, collective decision making, involving teachers in the procurement of teaching and learning materials and monitoring teachers individual work plans. The study also revealed that quality assurance mechanisms used in the teaching- learning process included coordination and cooperation among staff, collective decisions of staff, lesson planning and delivery, task analysis, performance appraisal for teachers, pupil and teacher assessment, evaluating academic performance of pupils, creating new teaching methods and techniques and improved information management. The study further indicated that challenges faced by schools in their quest to provide quality education included poor working conditions, poor relationship between the administration and teachers, inadequate teaching facilities, supervisory problems, insufficient management of workforce skills, poor motivation of teachers, poor implementation of C.P.D meetings, weak management systems for decision making and tight fiscal management policies. Strategies proposed by respondents to enhance quality education delivery included teacher group meetings through C.P.D, teacher awards, in-service training for teachers, frequent assessment, encouraging teachers to belong to associations and teacher. The study concluded that respect for teachers by administrative staff was important as it created a conducive environment for both administrators and teachers. Motivation and supervision of teaching staff could enhance effective service delivery in secondary schools in Nyimba District. The study recommended that school administrators should endeavour to continuously put in place appropriate strategies for motivating their teachers. Supervisors should constantly supervise teachers’ classroom activities to create a democratic climate while teaching, finding solutions to instructional problems, and continuously assess teachers’ performance in meeting school goals for institutional development. School administrators and supervisors should adopt appropriate administrative strategies such as respect for teachers in order to mitigate the negative effects of the challenges in school management to ensure effective service delivery.
Management of teaching staff--Quality education delivery.
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