Influence of Planning and Coordination in Quality Assurance Practice on Management of Instruction in Public Secondary Schools in North-Central Nigeria

This study investigates the influence of planning and coordination in quality assurance practices on management of instruction in public secondary schools in North-Central Nigeria. The study examined how planning activities and coordination mechanisms enhance instructional effectiveness within the school system. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study covered Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau States. The population comprised 1,730 principals, 30,232 teachers, and 402 quality assurance officers. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, a sample of 785 participants (274 principals, 375 teachers, and 136 quality assurance officers) was selected from 274 public senior secondary schools. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire titled Influence of Planning and Coordination in Quality Assurance Practice on Management of Instruction in Public Secondary Schools (IPCQAPMIPSS). Reliability was established through Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.889), indicating strong internal consistency. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to answer research questions with a decision mean of 2.50. Findings revealed that planning practices such as timely preparation of timetables and lesson plans were generally accepted, while coordination practices showed moderate implementation across schools. The study concludes that strengthening coordinated quality assurance strategies is essential for improving instructional management and educational outcomes in the region