Assessment of supervision in public basic schools in the Cape Coast metropolis

Abstract

The study was concerned with supervision in public basic schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Data were collected using questionnaire and interview guide for head teachers, circuit supervisors, teachers and prefects in public basic schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The sample was made up of 125 teachers, 25 headteachers, 5 circuit supervisors and 45 prefects. Interview guide and the questionnaire were the instruments used for data collection. The instruments were pre-tested in 10 schools that did not form part of the main study. Data collected were analysed according to the research questions that guided the study. The main findings were: Firstly, supervision of basic public schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis was not effective. Secondly, lack of logistics and motivation has caused ineffective supervision as head teachers, circuit supervisors and all teachers needed motivation before they could supervise effectively. Thirdly, head teachers, circuit supervisors and teachers agreed there was the need for logistics, motivation and regular visits by higher officials to enable them function effectively to improve teacher performance. It is recommended among others that circuit supervisors and head teachers should make supervision a regular affair which could make teachers become familiar with supervision and the modern supervisory skills of circuit supervisors to improve teachers’ performance in public basic schools. Again, circuit supervisors should be able to issue supervisory reports and also discuss observations with head teachers after supervision to enable them become aware of their teachers problems and help them to improve upon performance.