Exploring the role of school improvement support officers in teaching and learning at the basic schools

Abstract

School improvement is widely considered an essential instrument for achieving the quality of education of a nation to compete in the ever-changing educational development. This study examined the role of School Improvement Support Officers in teaching and learning at the Basic Schools. With the aim of investigating the challenges facing the school inspectors in performing their improvement duties, the study was done based on the directions of the mixed-method approach. To achieve the objective of the study, a convenience sampling was used to select 234 respondents from all circuits in Tema West Municipality. The instruments used were both questionnaires and interview guide. The findings revealed that school inspectors provide professional support to teachers in the form of responsible corrective action in schools. This professional support provided by the school inspectors improves basic teaching skills and encourages the use of teaching and learning materials. The study found that the school inspectors face challenges associated with insufficient funds, lack of transport, inadequate qualified school inspectors and other challenges associated with their working conditions. The study recommended that the government and stakeholders of education should improve guidelines for implementing the school improvement for public basic schools and ensure strict enforcement and effectiveness of the policy.