The Role of School Inspection in Improving the Quality of Education in Secondary Schools in Malawi: The Case of South East Education Division

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the study was to investigate the role of school inspection in improving quality of education in secondary schools: The case of South East Education Division. School inspection is used to assess quality of education in schools. Therefore, school inspection should make a difference to those schools that are frequently inspected. The study used case study research design and used both qualitative and quantitative data. 15 secondary schools selected through purposive sampling took part in the study. Data was collected from a sample of 50 participants comprising of 15 head teachers, 30 teachers and 5 Secondary school inspectors. The findings indicated that school inspection plays a major role in improving teaching and learning in secondary schools thereby improving quality of education in the schools. Teachers received professional guidance from inspectors on their weaknesses. Through the advice teachers get from inspectors, their performance improves and this is reflected in the improved performance of students. The study recommends increase in frequency of inspections in order to allow more schools to benefit from school inspections.

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