Teachers Perception of Staff Performance Appraisal Methods Used by Qaso in Public Secondary Schools in Igoji Division, Meru

Abstract

Human resource management, H.R.M, in any organization educational or otherwise embraces all the core functions of general management. It's focused on the people's side of management, seeking to ensure that the objectives are met. H.R.M still has its so called operative functions which include recruitment and selection, appraisal and development. Appraisal formally appeared on the education scene about 1983 as part of a general move towards greater accountability in the service. Reactions from the teacher's associations were generally positive until the issue became enmeshed in the negotiations over pay and conditions. In Kenya the inspectorate section of the Ministry of Education is charged with the responsibility of the appraisal of teachers in their classroom teaching (Casseter, 1996). The purpose of the study was to find out teacher's feelings towards appraisal method used by QASO.The study was guided by 2 objectives which were to determine the method used by QASO in teachers' performance appraisal and to find out teachers perception of performance appraisal by QASO. The study utilized purposive sampling for schools. It was conducted in 7 secondary schools .in Igonji Division. 2 schools were already established schools and 5 schools were in the category of upcoming schools.61 teachers and 6 head teachers responded. A quality assurance officer was also interviewed which made an entire sampling matrix of 68 respondents. The research instruments included open ended questionnaires for teachers and head teachers and interview schedule for the quality assurance officer. The questionnaires were piloted in a secondary school not in the sample to establish their validity and reliability. Authority was sought from various groups i.e. Ministry of Education, P.D.E's and D.E.O's offices and the principals of the sample schools to allow the researcher to collect data on different days in each school. Data collected was analyzed on its own merit by using tables, charts, and graphs depending on responses given. The study adopted an exploratory approach using a descriptive survey design to find out teachers perception on staff appraisal method used by QASO.The study found out that most teachers are not satisfied with the current method used to appraise them.