EFFECT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

EFFECT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA  

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the “Impact of Quality Assurance Activities on the Management of Secondary Schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria”. Eight objectives were formulated some of which are to assess the impact of quality assurance on leadership styles, determine the impact of quality assurance on decision making and ascertain the impact of quality assurance on provision of infrastructural facilities. Eight research questions were posed some of which are what is the impact of quality assurance on leadership styles in secondary schools, in what way does quality assurance impact on decision making and how does quality assurance impact on provision of infrastructural facilities. Eight null hypotheses were postulated some of which are there is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance activities on leadership styles, infrastructural facilities, instructional materials and curriculum contents..Descriptive research design was adapted for the study. The review of related literature is in line with the objectives the research was on opinion of sampling.  The study populations were the principals, quality assurance evaluators and teachers of secondary schools. The total population was 12,934. 4740 respondents were sample. a self develop questioner  was used as an instrument for data collection. The questioner was design with five point likert type rating scale and the instrument was validated, reliability tested through pilot test and found valid of data collection. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical tool was used to analyze the eight formulated null hypotheses. the findings of this research discovered that must of the principals of secondary schools in kaduna state demonstrated good quality leadership in their schools, the study also revealed that decision making process in secondary schools has been a collective decision and not a one man show affairs, it has also been confirmed that provision of infrastructural facilities in secondary schools in kaduna state needs to be improved. The finding of this research recommended that principals should demonstrated quality leadership in their schools, decision making should not be a one man show affairs and provision of infrastructural facilities needs to be improved.      . 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Nigeria like any other states world wide, has realized the potentials of education as an instrument for nation building. This is apparently well indicated in the various Nigerian

Government‟s educational development policies, programmers and huge financial expenditure in education over the years. National policy on education stated emphatically that education will be geared towards the realization of national goals through inculcating better human relationship, effective citizenship, national consciousness, national unity towards social, cultural progress of the nation (FRC, 2004)

Consequently, quality assurance managers play a crucial role in business by ensuring that products meet certain thresholds of acceptability. They plan, direct or coordinate quality assurances programs and formulate quality control policies. They also work to improve an organizations efficiency and profitability by reducing waste, according to Ehusani (2002) the process of educating is to develop the cognitive, affective and psychomotor facilities of individuals and groups in order to equip them with knowledge and skills necessary to survive and make society progress. Aghenta, as cite by ijaiya (2009), agrees that training or educated human resources constitute man power and personnel that bring about national development. This is simply saying that the amount of educated citizen is equal to the amount of available quality work force that will contribute to a nation‟s development. Meanwhile, quality of the workforce in the school system presupposes the quality of the school output that is the human resource that will be available for the nation.

In the school system, some determinants of high quality education include goals of education, quality of the input as well as a well organized school system that ensures the articulation and effective co - ordination of all aspects of school life (ochuba, 2009) also states that if the education industry would want to carry out its function of development of quality human capital, there would be need for cheeks and balance through regular and effective supervision and inspection. This in essence, is to ensure and maintain quality of output by the teachers. This situation is what warranted the adaption of quality assurance system by the Kaduna state ministry of education to bring about quality in the teaching and

despite all odds.

This process and experiences have culminated in a model of quality assurance that will be responsive to the education system in Kaduna state, Nigeria and reposition the inspectorate to meet the challenges of the present system. The new quality assurance is hinged on the whole school evaluation model which is a holistic, dynamic, vibrant, impartial and objective. External evaluation process managed by professional, experienced, efficient and dedicated staff that will guarantee quality education delivery through improved teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools.

This process shall replace the former inspectorate system previously managed independently by ministry of education (MOE), State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) commercial and technical schools management board, private schools board, Agency for Mass literacy and the local government education authority (LGEAs) into a unified, integrated and harmonized body under the ministry of education (MOE)

Quality assurance is a veritable improvement mechanism that points out the extent of attainment of the goals of programmers. The process of quality assurance activities includes; the whole school evaluation, special evaluation, Accreditation/Recognition, internal or school evaluation, external evaluation and follow up visits.

Attention of the external evaluators is focused on aspects such as the quality of teaching and learning and the levels and standards achieved by learners. They also check the number and quality of staff, library facilities, area of syllabus covered, standard or observed instruction, types of textbooks used, departmental records, accommodation and other facilities among others.

1. 2 Statement of the Problem

Careful observation of current trends in Nigeria in term of teaching and learning issues in schools shows that there is need for this research in order to study whether school monitoring and evaluation has impact on quality assurance activities on the management of secondary schools. it appears that secondary schools are facing a lot of problems which cause the backwardness in educational sector. there is  need for this  research so as to find out if lack of proper monitoring and evaluation is one factor among others which cause the problems as a result of inadequate and improper monitoring and evaluation, education lacks its quality, rather schools are graduating half baked graduates, because there were inadequate provision of infrastructural facilities, inadequate provision of instructional materials for teaching and learning, non involvement of teachers in decision making, poor maintenance culture on the part of schools management, improper records keeping. And also instructional works were not given maximum attention. That is why monitoring and evaluation must be proper and constant in secondary schools in Kaduna state; so that it can help in fixing all the problems provide ways and means to tackle the problems. Researchers had fund out that increasing number of teachers and their salary will not automatically improve productivity unless there is appropriate monitoring and evaluation.

However Hanushek (2001), observed that the major percentage of our population live blow poverty level. Although secondary schools are open to all rich and poor students, but if there is no proper monitoring and evaluation in secondary schools in Kaduna state and Nigeria at large aims and objectives will never be achieved. In another study conducted in zamfara state, Hassan (2009) fund that out of forty (40) secondary schools surveyed, only seven (7) were within the proceeding five years and one the proceeding two years; the rest had no records of inspectional visitors. All this problems rose because of the exceeding student‟s population. And also the new introduced quality assurance system does not function effectively. In order to attain the educational aims and objectives, Schools monitoring and evaluation must be given more attention on the aspect of instructional work because it is the heart of the school. Teacher‟s activities and class activities will be assess to find out the teachers level of skills, knowledge and ideas. And also to observe the learner‟s capacity on learning activities and to realize whether the instruments provided by the government were adequate and effectively utilized by both the learners and the teachers. instructional work includes mastering  of subjects matter, curriculum content coverage, text books, lesson plan, lesson presentation, instructional materials usage, time and management, teaching method, usage of chalk board and communication skills.

Another area in which school quality assurance must give maximum attention is the area of staff development because if there is no qualitative, professional and motivated teachers the aims and objectives of education will not be achieved. This problems and much more motivated the researcher to embank on this research. The concerned of this study therefore is to assess the impact of quality assurance activities on the management of secondary schools in Kaduna state, Nigeria and why they are not being tackled and the way forward.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The following objectives were formulated to:

1. assess the impact of quality assurance on leadership styles in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
2. determine the impact of quality assurance on decision making in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
3. ascertain the impact of quality assurance on provision of infrastructural facilities in secondary school in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
4. examine the impact of quality assurance on provision of instructional materials in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
5. determine the impact of quality assurance on discipline in secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria;

6. examine the impact of quality assurance on records keeping in secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria;

7. find out the impact of quality assurance on curriculum content coverage in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria and
8. ascertain the impact of quality assurance on staff development in secondary schools in  Kaduna State, Nigeria

 

 

 

 

1.4  Research Questions

The following research questions were administered in this study.

1. What is the impact of quality assurance on leadership styles in secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria?

2. In what way does quality assurance impact on decision making in secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria?

3. How does quality assurance impact on infrastructural facilities in secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria?

4. What is the impact of quality assurance on provision of instructional materials for teaching and learning in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria?
5. How does quality assurance impact on discipline in secondary schools in Kaduna State,

Nigeria?

6. In what way does quality assurance impact on records keeping in secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria?

7. What is the impact of quality assurance on curriculum content coverage in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria?
8. How does quality assurance impact on staff development in the secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were postulated

1. There is no significant difference in the opinions of principals, evaluators and teachers on the impact of quality assurance activities on leadership styles in  secondary schools in

Kaduna State, Nigeria;

2. There is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance on decision making in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
3. There is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance on provision of infrastructural facilities in secondary schools in Kaduna State,

Nigeria;

4. There is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance on provision of instructional materials in secondary schools in Kaduna State,

Nigeria;

5. There is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance on discipline in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
6. There is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance on records keeping in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
7. There is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance on curriculum content coverage in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria; and
8. There is no significant difference in the opinions of respondents on the impact of quality assurance on staff development in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

1.6 Basic Assumptions

The following assumptions were made based on the research:

1. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools there will be improvement on leadership styles in the secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
2. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools, there will be good decision making in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
3. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools there will be improvement on provision of infrastructural facilities in secondary schools in Kaduna

State, Nigeria;

4. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools, there will be adequate provision of instructional materials for teaching and learning in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
5. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools there will be good discipline in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
6. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools there will be proper records keeping in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria;
7. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools there will be proper coverage of curriculum content in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria; and
8. Whenever there is effective quality assurance activities in schools there will be positive improvement on staff development in secondary schools in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

1.7 Significance of the Study

The study is of significance to many category of people which include; the principals, quality assurance evaluators, teachers, parents, learners, government and interest group;. This study will therefore serve as a reference document for efficient and effective decision making tool when allocating and distribution of educational resources by the government. principals and teachers will be equipped on how best to manage quality education in order to carry them along to achieve a better standard of academic excellence also parents will be better informed on the performance and progress of their childreen.The study will also expose how effectively leaders and managers at all levels clearly direct improvement and set clear priorities and targets in a school development plan.

1.8 Scope of the Study

The study is only concerned with impact of quality assurance activities on the management of secondary schools in Kaduna state, Nigeria. The research is therefore limited to the sample population from principals, evaluators and teachers of secondary schools in Kaduna state. Four local government were sample, these include one from each senatorial zone in the state..

EFFECT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE ACTIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA  

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