An Evaluation of the Role Played By the Head of School in the Delivery of Quality Education in Zimbabwean Day Secondary Schools: A Case Study of Nkayi North West Circuit

Abstract

Quality education is a critical phenomenon for the provision of quality human resources in any country. Quality education focuses on learning which strengthens the capacity of children to act progressively on their own behalf through the acquisition of knowledge in useful skills.Quality in terms of school products implies school graduates who are not just literate or numerate, but graduates who add value to their families, communities as well as nation through the knowledge, skills and morals they acquired from the school system. In Zimbabwe the parents, government and employers place a very high premium on the quality of education that schools provide to their learners. Certain schools are shunned because of their perceived low standards and yet others are sought after by many parents and students due to the quality of learning perceived to obtain in them. Quality therefore is about high standards of achievement by pupils in all spheres. Quality does not come about like manna from heaven. It is brought about in an organisation deliberately through the leadership process. This article draws on a quantitative enquiry on the role played by heads in the delivery of quality education in Zimbabwean Secondary schools. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The target population included all secondary school teachers in the Nkayi North West Circuit which has a teacher population of 80 teachers. Random sampling eight females. The data were collected through a questionnaire which had both close-ended and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to interpret the data. The study revealed that heads did not encourage attendance by pupils to all lessons, there was inadequate provision of stationery and learning equipment and that supervision of learning was not adequately done by the heads. The study also revealed that heads were not results focused in their operations. The study recommended that heads of schools should be equipped with skills and knowledge in the field of leadership and management so that they promote quality education in their schools. It also recommended heads should also prioritise supervision of instruction and provision of adequate teaching/learning materials.