PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF INSTRUCTIONAL SUPERVISION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF GEDEO ZONE

<strong>Abstract: </strong>The main objective of this study is assessing the practices and challenges of instructional supervision in secondary schools of Gedeo Zone. To accomplish this purpose, the study employed a a descriptive survey research design and mixed (quantitative and qualitative) research approach. The study was carried out in randomly selected seven secondary schools of Gedeo Zone. A total of 188 individuals were participated in the study. Among them, 155(50%) teachers were included as a sample through simple random sampling technique. Additionally, 25(100%) secondary school principals, 5(100%) supervisors using census sampling techniques and 3 Woreda education office experts were included through purposive sampling technique. Questionnaire, interview and document review were the main instruments of data collection. The analysis of the quantitative data was carried out by using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and independent t- test. The findings revealed that due to the implementation of instructional supervision changes were not observed and teachers were not received the necessary support from supervisors in secondary schools of Gedeo zone, teachers hate feedback of instructional supervisors. Moreover, lack of necessary knowledge and training on the side of instructional supervisors, over burden and shortage of resources were some of the factors that affect the practices of instructional supervision. As a result teachers are not encouraged to disseminate their knowledge to students through effective teaching-learning method. In general the findings supposed to conclude, instructional supervisors in secondary schools of Gedeo Zone had not work effectively to improve the efficiency of teachers. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the secondary schools and Woreda education office need to give necessary attention to improve the practices of instructional supervision in secondary schools of the study area.