Effectiveness of school inspection in monitoring teacher absenteeism in Kisarawe district primary schools - Tanzania

In recent times there has been a great concern about teacher absenteeism; therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate effectiveness of school inspection in monitoring primary school teacher absenteeism in Kisarawe district. The objectives of this study were to examine the rate of school inspection process in the district primary schools, to examine the means in which school inspection helps in monitoring teacher absenteeism, and to assess the extent to which inspection reports were effectively implemented by the district education authorities and teachers. The sample of the study comprised 43 respondents in which interview employed to collect data from 9 head teachers, 4 district school inspectors, 1 district education officer; 1 TSD secretary and 2 wards education coordinators and questionnaire used to collect data from 26 primary school teachers,. All respondents in this study were selected by using stratified random sampling and purposive sampling. Observation and documentary review were also used in the collection of data. In conducting the study qualitative approach were used to allow in-depth understanding of respondents’ views and experiences. The main findings showed that, in Kisarawe district school inspection was not frequently done as a result teachers were not attending as required. Also close follow up, frequent school inspection, abrupt school inspection, the use of head teachers and Ward Education Coordinators and summons to absentees’ teachers were mentioned as the means used to raise teacher attendances. Serious implementation of school inspection reports recommendations and feedback mechanism would also help to monitor the situation. It was concluded that, because there was a highly relationship between school inspection and teacher absenteeism thus when school inspection rate was low teachers were not attended as required therefore school inspectorate department should be supported by both the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and the District Council to enable frequent school inspection and close follow up to be done. Inspection reports recommendations to be taken into consideration by both district education authorities and teachers so that to monitor and improve attendances. The district Council should build better teachers living houses as a solution for poor living environment, thus, to encourage teachers stay in their working areas.