Secondary School Principals' Use of Quality Assurance and Standards Assessment Feedback in Supervision in Nairobi Kenya: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Feedback from quality assurance assessment informs secondary principals on  the status of  their institutions and advises on improvement needed. Availability and acceptance of assessment feedback by principals leads to implementation of recommendations contained in the  assessment reports. This aids in providing quality education that meets set standards, relevance and continuous maintenance.This is why this study looked at the use of feedback from quality assurance and standards assessment by principals in their supervision of secondary schools in Nairobi, Kenya. Literature reviewed highlighted grey areas for research Thus, the study delved to answer the question: what is the influence of quality assurance and standards assessment feedback on principals' supervision of secondary schools in Nairobi? Embeded mixed research design of quantitative and qualitative strand was used in data collection, analysis and interpretation. Questionnaires, interview and document analysis guides were used to collect data. Target population included 9 Quality Assurance and Standards Officers and 83 principals from  a sample of 9 Quality Assurance and Standards Officers and 30 principals was derived..  Stratified and  and purposive sampling techniques were employed. The study used mean,correlation and regression to analyze data. The major findings were that quality assurance and standards assessments were infrequent and feedback rare but are important in secondary schools' supervision. There was a positive significant relationship between effective supervision and quality assurance standards assessment (rho =0.594, p value <0.05). Principals desired timely feedback from quality assurance and standards assessments. They also required discussions on the same, with the stakeholders and particularly follow-up assessments. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education employ and train more officers and avail sufficient resources for timely feedback after assessments.