A study of supervision in rural and urban junior high schools in the Akuapem North district

Abstract

The study was to find out the type(s) of supervision emphasized in the junior high schools, the extent to which supervision is carried out in the junior high schools, how supervision affects teaching and learning and the problem(s) that is/are associated with supervision within the junior high schools in urban and rural communities in the Akwapim North District. Twenty five junior high schools were covered in the Akwapim North District. Two hundred and eighty respondents were involved in the study. Data were collected through interview guides, administering of questionnaires and verification of documents. The design used for the survey was the descriptive design. The design was used in this survey to assess the situation in the Akwapim North District, the area of investigation. Percentages were calculated for the summary of the various responses. Headteachers and teachers especially, those in the rural areas, viewed external supervision to be inadequate. Records that were available in the schools and the District Education Office and the school log books indicate that intensive and follow -up visits constitute the least form of visits while brief visits account for the highest number of visits made by the external supervisors to the urban and rural junior secondary schools. It is recommended, among other things, that emphasis should be placed on both internal and external supervision. Visits to junior high schools have to be increased by external supervisors especially for intensive and follow - up visits in the rural areas. Motivation and supply of needed logistics have to be made available for supervisors to enforce efficient and effective supervision especially in the rural circuits.