EDUCATION QUALITY ASSURANCE AND STANDARDS IN KENYA: OVERSEEING CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION AND DELIVERY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS - A CASE OF TAITA TAVETA

Authors

  • John Odhiambo Okoth County Director
  • Dr. Robert Maneno Lecturer
  • Dr. Lorna A. Amuka Lecturer

Keywords:

Education Quality Assurance, Standards council, curriculum implementation and delivery

Abstract

Purpose: The study is an Action Research that critically analysed the function of Education Standards and Quality Assurance Council (ESQAC) in Kenya with respect to; overseeing curriculum implementation and delivery in Secondary Schools; particularly in the wake of dismal performance in National Examination by the students in secondary schools.

Methods: The location of the study was in Taita Taveta County in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used to select the three ESQAC Officers, while, stratified sampling was used to select 40 secondary schools in Taita Taveta County. Data was collected using Focus Group Discussion Schedules for ESQAC Officers and Questionnaires for Principals of Secondary Schools. Data was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Results: The study found that ESQAC officers carried assessment in fewer schools than was expected. That the number of teachers supported by the officers was low and few school follow-up cases by the said officers were reported. These shortcomings were found to be as a result of shortage of officers, limited financial resources and means of communication. Ministry of Education should operationalize ESQAC as Established in article 64 of the Basic Education Act 2013 and given mandate by Legal Notice No. 11, 2014.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary (State Department of Early Childhood and Basic Education) in the Ministry of Education should operationalize ESQAC in article 64 of the Basic Education Act 2013 and given mandate by Legal Notice No. 11, 2014. This would enable parliament and other financing agencies to provide funds that would support ESQAC programs from National level to Taita Taveta County level. The Ministry of Education should through its training agencies introduce training package for those joining ESQAC as Officers and also to provide in-service training for existing Officers.

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Author Biographies

John Odhiambo Okoth, County Director

County Director of Education Office

Dr. Robert Maneno, Lecturer

Pwani University

Dr. Lorna A. Amuka, Lecturer

Pwani University

References

Amunga, Maube Isaiah (2008). Factors determining the performance of educational quality assurance and standards officers in Kenya : a survey of Western Province, Moi University, Kenya
Chepkuto, Keino William (2012). Contributions of quality assurance and standards to curriculum implementation in primary schools of Baringo District, Baringo county, Kenya; Kenyatta University, Nairobi: Kenya
Ministry of Education Science and Technology (2015). National Education Sector Plan volume one: basic education programme rationale and approach 2013-2018 Republic of Kenya Government Printer, Nairobi: Kenya
M'inoti, Moses (2010). Effects of quality assurance and standards officers' supervision on academic performance in secondary schools in Meru Central District, Kenya, University of Nairobi, Kenya
Mosigisi, Teresa Erica (2012). Role of quality assurance and standards officers in performance of Kenya certificate of secondary education in Kasarani District Nairobi county, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Mujivane, Oscar Adamba (2007). Effectiveness of head teachers and teachers in internal quality assurance of curriculum in secondary schools in Kenya: a case of Vihiga District, Moi University, Kenya
Ngugi, Annie Wanjiru (2009). Teachers' perception of the role of quality assurance and standards officers in enhancing quality of secondary school education in Murang'a South District. Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya
Waithira, Gachoya A (2008). impact of quality assurance and standards on educational quality in secondary schools in Nyeri South District, Kenya, University of Nairobi, Kenya

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Published

2018-09-11

How to Cite

Okoth, J. O., Maneno, D. R., & Amuka, D. L. A. (2018). EDUCATION QUALITY ASSURANCE AND STANDARDS IN KENYA: OVERSEEING CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION AND DELIVERY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS - A CASE OF TAITA TAVETA. African Journal of Education and Practice, 3(2), 30 – 41. Retrieved from https://www.iprjb.org/journals/index.php/AJEP/article/view/713