RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEACHERS’ EMPOWERMENT AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS QUALITY ASSURANCE IN ONITSHA NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between teachers’ empowerment and secondary school quality assurance in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Three specific purposes and three research questions guided the study. Correlational design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised all the 719 teachers in the 16 public secondary schools in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. The sample size of the study was 144 teachers drawn using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Structured rating scales “Teachers’ Empowerment Rating Scale (TERS) and Quality Assurance Rating Scale (QARS)” were used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by three experts in Faculty of Education; two lecturers in Educational Management and Policy and one lecturer in Educational Foundations. Internal consistency co-efficient of 0.82, 0.80, and 0.91; as well as 0.89 was obtained for TERS and QARS respectively, using Cronbach Alpha statistical method. The researcher administered the instrument to the respondents with the help of four research assistants. Data were analyzed using Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient. The findings revealed that there is a positive relationship between teachers’ empowerment (teachers’ continuous professional development, teachers’ involvement in decision-making, and provision of instructional resources) and secondary schools quality assurance in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Thus, the study concluded that teachers’ empowerment is an important variable that improve quality assurance and overall educational standards in secondary schools in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Education should provide opportunities for teachers in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State to undergo competency training through study leave with pay, seminars, workshops and conferences to acquire more skills in instructional delivery. Teachers in secondary schools should actively engage in continuous professional development, participate in decision-making processes, and advocate for adequate instructional resources to enhance empowerment and ensure quality assurance.