Abstract

The monitoring of teaching and learning in Primary Schools has many challenges in Malawi in the decentralized Education system although decision-making was devolved to the District Assemblies under the Local Authority Act. The devolution of decision making to the District Assemblies was a way of cutting down the challenges and increase performance and accountability. However, although the decentralized education system at school level translates to local monitoring of teaching and learning in primary schools the system still faces some challenges. The study explores the challenges faced by the monitoring systems in primary schools in the decentralized Education system. The objectives guiding the study were; to find out the roles of stakeholders, the extent of monitoring teaching and learning by the stakeholders, and the challenges they face. The challenges were explored through an exploratory mixed method design where both qualitative and quantitative data was collected but with a bias towards the qualitative method. Data was collected through focus group discussions, interviews, observations, document review and a questionnaire. After data analysis the results have revealed that there are challenges with the monitoring of teaching and learning in primary schools in Malawi. The participants at all levels agreed that monitoring of teaching and learning is beneficial, but the extent and frequency at which the activity is done is negatively affected by shortage of resources, inadequate capacity-building and inadequate communication at all levels. However, the participants recommended that the Government of Malawi and its cooperating partners should consider assisting primary schools in the country in implementing effective monitoring systems of teaching and learning in primary schools.

More details

School	: School of Education
Issued Date	: 2008

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