Primary school supervision in Pakistan : practice, purpose and potential

Marland, Harriet Grieve

Abstract

The system of supervising government primary schools in Pakistan is a
matter of continuing debate. The performance of supervisors is frequently
criticised, and their ability to improve the quality of education in primary
schools is questioned. Periodically it is suggested that improvement requires
a completely new supervisory cadre.

The aim of this research is to clarify the purpose of primary school
supervision, and to present evidence of both the practice of individual
supervisors and their potential for achieving improvement in primary
schools, in order to suggest ways in which the impact of supervision can be
enhanced. Models of the supervisor as guardian, guide and innovator are
distinguished and used to explain some of the conflicting demands made of
supervisory personnel. The potential and limitations of work within each
model are explored.

Central to the research is a study which took place within the Sindh Primary
Education Development Programme 1992-96, an internationally sponsored
programme which included extensive training opportunities for
supervisors. Questionnaire responses were collected during this training
programme from ninety-one supervisors covering one rural and one urban
district. Analysis focuses on the supervisors' perceptions of patterns of
influence and achievement within their own work, using data from the
questionnaires, interviews and seven individual life stories.

The findings of this research challenge some influential assumptions about
the centrality of primary teaching experience and specific training to ensure
effective supervision. Instead,sincerity and respect emerge as key concepts of
particular importance for sustaining professional endeavour. The results
suggest that reforms of the selection and training of supervisory personnel
are unlikely to influence practice permanently in Pakistan, unless
accompanied by greater clarity about the precise role required, together with
a revisioning of the relationships between the people within the education
system as a whole founded on mutual respect for each others' work.

Citation

Marland, H. G. Primary school supervision in Pakistan : practice, purpose and potential. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4215059

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Feb 4, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Education
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4215059
• Additional Information: Department of Education, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Oct 1, 1999