East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

This study assessed the extent of instructional supervision practices among head teachers in public primary schools in Kibondo District, Tanzania. The study was guided by the positivist research paradigm and employed a mixed-methods approach using a convergent parallel research design. A total of 294 participants were involved in the study, comprising 12 head teachers, 272 primary school teachers, 9 Ward Education Officers (WEOs), and 1 District Education Officer (DEO). Head teachers, WEOs, and the DEO were selected using purposive sampling, while primary school teachers were selected through simple random sampling. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to teachers, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews with head teachers, WEOs, and the DEO. Documentary review was also used to examine supervision schedules, classroom-observation records, lesson-plan monitoring records, and teachers’ feedback records. Quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) through descriptive statistics, particularly means and standard deviations, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that instructional supervision practices were generally implemented at low to moderate levels. Maintaining written supervision records received the highest rating (M = 2.80, SD = 1.40), followed by organising school-based professional development (M = 2.65, SD = 1.40) and encouraging peer observation and mentoring (M = 2.61, SD = 1.44). In contrast, classroom-focused activities recorded relatively lower ratings, including reviewing teachers’ schemes of work (M = 2.26, SD = 1.51), classroom observation (M = 2.27, SD = 1.48), checking lesson plans (M = 2.29, SD = 1.47), and monitoring continuous assessment practices (M = 2.29, SD = 1.53). Qualitative and documentary evidence indicated that competing administrative responsibilities, staffing constraints, and other school-level demands constrained the consistent implementation of classroom-focused supervision. The study concludes that instructional supervision was implemented unevenly, with relatively greater emphasis on administrative documentation and professional development activities than on direct classroom-focused supervision. The study recommends strengthening head teachers’ instructional leadership competencies, reducing competing administrative workloads, addressing staffing constraints, and establishing systematic mechanisms for regular classroom observation, constructive feedback, professional development, and follow-up of instructional practices.

Folk Development Colleges (FDCs) are intended to equip young people and adults with practical capabilities for productive work, yet little is known about graduates’ transition from training to self-employment. This study explored how vocational training, entrepreneurship education, and life-skills training were perceived to support graduates’ self-employment in two selected FDCs in Mtwara Region, Tanzania. Guided by Human Capital Theory, it used an interpretivist qualitative multiple-case design. Thirty-six participants were selected purposively: 24 graduates, 10 tutors, and two principals. Data were collected through two focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews, then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants reported that vocational training developed practical competencies applied in tailoring, agriculture, poultry keeping, welding, food processing and other income-generating activities. Entrepreneurship education strengthened opportunity recognition, business planning, costing, marketing, record-keeping and financial management, while life-skills training supported communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability and confidence. Experiential learning connected the three training components. However, outdated or insufficient equipment, restricted finance and markets, weak mentorship and industry linkages, limited incubation support and incomplete graduate tracking constrained application. FDC programmes therefore provided complementary preparation for self-employment, but training alone could not ensure enterprise establishment or continuity. Modern resources, sustained practical learning, stronger enterprise-support linkages and systematic graduate tracking are required. As the evidence is context-specific and self-reported, the findings indicate perceived contributions rather than causal effects or verified long-term business sustainability.

This study examined how classroom observation by school leaders influenced teachers’ effectiveness in lesson preparation and presentation in public secondary schools in Kyerwa District Council, Kagera, Tanzania. The study was guided by the pragmatist paradigm and employed a mixed-methods approach using a convergent parallel research design. A sample of 87 respondents was selected through stratified random, simple random, and purposive sampling techniques. The sample size was determined using Yamane’s (1967) formula (n=N/[1+N(e)^2]). Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and classroom observation checklists, while qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, correlation, and regression analysis, whereas qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings indicated that classroom observation by school leaders contributed to teachers’ effectiveness in lesson preparation and presentation through professional feedback, identification of instructional weaknesses, guidance, and follow-up support. The findings further showed that regular and constructive classroom observation enhanced teachers’ preparedness, organisation of lesson content, use of teaching and learning materials, and classroom presentation practices. However, inadequate time, limited follow-up, and competing administrative responsibilities constrained the effectiveness of classroom observation. The study concluded that systematic, supportive, and constructive classroom observation was an important instructional supervision practice for improving teachers’ effectiveness in lesson preparation and presentation. The study recommended that school leaders and education authorities should strengthen regular classroom observation, professional feedback, and follow-up mechanisms to promote continuous improvement in teaching practices.

Insecurity has become a significant threat to the effective delivery of basic education in Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by banditry, kidnapping, armed attacks, and communal violence. This study examined the influence of insecurity on teaching-learning outcomes in Universal Basic Education primary schools in Kagarko Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Specifically, it investigated the effects of insecurity on pupils’ academic performance and school attendance and identified strategies for reducing its adverse effects. The study adopted a qualitative documentary research design and relied on secondary data obtained from government publications, policy documents, institutional reports, international organisations, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The selected documents were analysed using qualitative content analysis and organised according to the study’s major themes. The findings revealed that insecurity negatively affects pupils’ academic performance by reducing instructional time, disrupting curriculum coverage, weakening concentration, and creating fear within the learning environment. It also reduces school attendance as parents may prevent their children from attending school because of kidnapping, attacks, unsafe travel routes, and instability within surrounding communities. Consequently, insecurity undermines the implementation of Universal Basic Education by limiting regular participation and disrupting stable teaching and learning conditions. The study concludes that ensuring school safety is essential for achieving the objectives of free and compulsory basic education. It recommends strengthening school security, implementing the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools, improving community participation, providing psychosocial support, protecting routes to school, establishing emergency response systems, and adopting flexible learning arrangements during periods of disruption.

Quality higher education plays a vital role in sustainable development by equipping graduates with knowledge, competencies, and skills required for economic and societal development. This study examined the relationship between instructional strategies and the employability skills of undergraduate students in the School of Art and Industrial Design at Kyambogo University, Uganda. Specifically, it investigated the relationships between cooperative teaching, collaborative teaching, inquiry/discovery learning, independent study, experiential (authentic) learning, project-based learning, and students’ employability skills. The study adopted a quantitative approach using a correlational research design. Data were collected from 378 third-year undergraduate students using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Pearson’s product-moment correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the direction and statistical associations between instructional strategies and employability skills. Findings showed that cooperative teaching, inquiry/discovery learning, and experiential teaching had positive statistically significant associations with employability skills, whereas collaborative teaching had a negative statistical association. Independent study and project-based teaching had no statistically significant unique associations with employability skills. Inquiry/discovery teaching demonstrated the strongest statistical association with employability skills among the strategies examined. The study concluded that instructional strategies had different statistical associations with employability skills and that learner-centred approaches are most beneficial when they actively engage students in cooperative, inquiry-oriented, and authentic learning experiences aligned with intended graduate outcomes. The study recommended strengthening cooperative, inquiry, and experiential teaching through structured group tasks, inquiry-based activities, and authentic practical experiences. It further recommended improving the design and implementation of collaborative, independent, and project-based learning to enhance their contribution to graduate employability skills.