Influence of Headteachers’ Performance Appraisal Practices on Teacher Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Kitui Central Sub-County, Kitui County, Kenya

Anna Susan Munyithya & Robert Kamau
School of Education
Mount Kenya University
Email: annmunyithya@yahoo.com

Abstract: Headteachers’ performance appraisal practices play a key role in ensuring improved classroom pedagogy and improved teacher performance. However, in Kitui Central Sub- County, teacher performance in many public primary schools is still low since many are not able to complete syllabus in time which has caused low academic performance among learners. Thus, this research examined the influence of headteachers’ performance appraisal practices on teacher performance in public primary schools. The study adopted a mixed methodology and applied concurrent triangulation research design. Target population consisted of 757 respondents, which comprised 78 headteachers and 679 teachers, from which a sample of 260 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. This comprised 20 headteachers and 240 teachers. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on objectives and presented in narrative form, whereas quantitative data was analyzed inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis in Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 25) and presented using tables. The study revealed that many teachers struggle to cover the syllabus on time, resulting in poor performance. Despite headteachers conducting regular performance appraisals of teachers, teacher performance has not fully improved as envisaged. Thus, the Ministry of Education should continue equipping headteachers with skills on how to undertake performance appraisal of teachers in line with Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development tools as a strategy for improving teachers’ pedagogical activities and thus, improve students’ academic performance. The Ministry of Education should continue enforcing regular training of headteachers on aspects of school management as a key step towards understanding how to improve teacher performance.