Abstract:
This research aims to examine teachers’ and school leaders’ attitudes towards practices of
instructional supervision in secondary schools of Jigjiga City Council. The study was a
descriptive survey design with both quantitative and qualitative methods. A simple random
sampling technique was used to select the participants for the questionnaire and interview.
Quantitative data were obtained through survey questionnaire distributed to (N=114)
teachers and randomly selected from (N=3) schools, while qualitative data were collected
through interviews with (N=6) school leaders (i.e N=3 principals and N=3supervisors)
selected from the survey participants. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive
and inferential statistics, and qualitative data through narration themes. The findings show
that most of teachers felt that all instructional supervision approaches were rarely applied in
their schools.Positive correlation between supervision and professional development was
identified. Regression analysis also showed that preferred supervision approaches and
perceived professional development are the major factors contributing to teachers’ and
school leaders’ attitudes towards instructional supervision. The study concluded, the current
practice is inadequate to help teachers for better teaching. New teachers wanted
collaborative supervision, while experienced teachers preferred self-directive approaches.
Teachers’ and school leaders’preference and perceived professional development are the
factors contributing to teachers’ and school leaders’ satisfaction and positive attitude. The
study recommends frequent use of supervision, review of the current practice and adapting
flexible policies that give teachers with options in the practice, as well as developing a
collaborative culture that is based on trust, respect, reflection and participative approach.
Supervision should foster professional growth of teachers and supervisors through ongoing
trainings. To realize teachers’ and school leaders’satisfaction and create positive attitude to
supervision, Jigjiga City Council Education Bureau, supervisors and principals
collaboratively should give more attention to enhance skills ,knowledge and attitude of
school instructional supervisors and school leaders.
