The practices and challenges of school-based supervision in Government secondary schools of Gambella Town and surrounding woreda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the practices of school-based supervision in government secondary schools of Gambella Town Administration and Surrounding woreda. Four basic questions were formulated, which emphasized the extent to which teachers understand about the school-based supervision in secondary schools of Gambella Town Administration and surrounding woreda, and the various supervisory options applied. To conduct this study, from total of 8 (eight) government secondary schools, 4 (50%) were selected using random sampling technique. After selecting the sample schools, school-based supervisors, teachers and external supervisors were identified. Consequently, from a total of 329 teaching staff of these sample schools, 135(41.03%) were taken by using simple random sampling technique particularly the lottery method. Accordingly, 4 school principals were included in the study. Teachers have participated in the study, and questionnaire was used as main tool of data collection, Interview and document analysis were also used to substantiate the data gathered through questionnaires, Frequency, percentage, mean and t-test were utilized to analyses quantitative data gained through the questionnaires. The qualitative data gathered through interview and documents were analyzed by narration technique. The result of the study indicated that teachers lack awareness and orientation on the activities and significance of school-based supervision, incompetence of the practices of supervisory options matching with the individual teacher’s development level, and inability of supervisors, scarcity of experienced supervisors in school-based supervision activities. Finally, to minimize the problems of school-based supervision in secondary schools it is recommended to give relevant in-service trainings for supervisors to upgrade their supervisory activities, necessary resources such as supervision manuals and adequate budget for the success of supervision at the school level was suggested. And it is advisable for the woreda Education offices, and Regional Education Bureau in cooperation with non-governmental organizations facilitate the training programs for the effectiveness of supervision at the school level.