Headteacher competencies in conducting staff performance appraisal: A case study of public JSS heads in the Cape Coast Municipality

Abstract

This research work is an investigation into Headteacher Competencies in conducting Staff Performance Appraisal: A Case Study of Public JSS Heads in the Cape Coast Municipality of Ghana. The study is a descriptive survey research. It is aimed at making a comprehensive and meticulous investigation into the competency level of headteachers, in terms of the level of knowledge, attitude and performance rating skills exhibited in conducting staff performance appraisal. The supporting appraisal material for the research was obtained from the first four performance appraisal criteria, namely, lesson plan, lesson presentation, knowledge of subject matter and evaluation of learner ability contained in the Staff Development and Performance Appraisal Manual of the Ghana Education Service (GES). The simple random technique was used to select a sample of ] 8 headteachers from 47 heads in the Public Junior Secondary Schools in the Cape Coast Municipality of Ghana. The sample consisted of 10 females and 8 males. A four-section composite questionnaire was developed from the four components of the performance appraisal criteria in the (GES) Appraisal manual. Section A of the questionnaire solicited for biographic and performance appraisal information. Section B sought information on the attitudes of heads Iowards the conduct of appraisal. There were 25 items with a 4-poillt Likert-type scale as the instrument to collect the required data. Section C was made up of 25 multiple-choice questions meant to solicit information about the level of knowledge of heads on appraisal. Section D consisted of 14 items on performance appraisal rating and elicited information on the performance rating skills of heads. The data gathering instrument was first pilot tested in eight schools in the Elmina District of the Central Region. All the data gathered from the research instrument were statistically analysed using frequencies and percentages. Furthermore, mathematical means and standard deviations were used in discussions for the level of knowledge and performance appraisal rating skills of the heads. Results from the study indicated, to some extent, that the level of headteacher competencies in conducting staff performance appraisal is high. However, the performance rating skills of some of the headteachers were found to be low while others were very high. Furthermore, it was identified that the GES performance appraisal manual was deficient in one respect, that is, it did not have any criteria on classroom organization and management. An addendum to rectify the anomaly was, therefore, suggested. . The major conclusion drawn from the study was that the level of headteacher competencies in conducting staff performance appraisal is high.