Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

School inspection and supervision in Pakistan: Approaches and issues

  • Open File
  • Published:
PROSPECTS Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article traces how the concept of educational inspection has evolved in Pakistan, especially in the province of Sindh, and discusses whether the existing inspection system helps to improve quality and establish accountability. The inspection system that originated in colonial days has evolved to incorporate the notion of using supervision to provide a range of support to school-based efforts to improve performance. The shift, however, has been in terminology only, since it has not signalled a major shift in how the job is carried out in practice. The article argues that as a strategy for establishing accountability and improving quality in education, inspection and supervision rely on several interdependent variables. Improvements in educational quality will require a balance among three factors: the availability of relevant and adequate physical, human, and financial resources; effective and empowered leadership; and functional monitoring, evaluation, and professional support for schools.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. These head teachers go through inspection, and sometimes also become part of the team that conducts inspections of schools other than their own.

References

  • Adams, D. (2007). Implementing and sustaining educational reforms: The case for little “r”. Prospects, 37(4), 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AEPAM NEMIS [Academy of Educational Planning and Management, National Education Management Information System] (2006–2007). Pakistan education statistics. Islamabad: Ministry of Education.

  • Ali, M. A. (1998). Supervision for teacher development: A proposal for Pakistan. Paris: IIEP, UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aziz, M. A. (1965). The educational pyramid re-invented. Lahore: Publishers United Limited.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, A. M. (2005). Teacher accountability in context: Tanzanian primary school teachers’ perceptions of local community and education administration. Compare, 35(1), 43–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhutto, G. R. (1978). A handbook on supervision for primary schools in Sindh. Hyderabad: Bureau of Curriculum and Extension Wing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush, T., & West-Burnham, J. (Eds.). (1994). The principles of educational management. London: Pitman Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, D., & Adams, D. (2002). The quality of education: Dimensions and strategies. Hong Kong: Asian Development Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eraut, M. (1993). Teacher accountability: Why is it central in teacher professional development? In L. Kremer-Hayon, H. C. Vonk, & R. Fessler (Eds.), Teacher professional development: A multiple perspective approach. Amsterdam/Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Govinda, R., & Tapan, S. (1999). Quality education through school-based supervision and support: The case of GSS primary schools in Bangladesh. Working document. Trends in school supervision series. Paris: IIEP, UNESCO.

  • Grauwe, A. D., & Naidoo, J. P. (Eds.). (2004). School evaluation for quality improvement. Paris: IIEP, UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gurr, D. (1999). From supervision to quality assurance: The case study of the state of Victoria (Australia). Paris: IIEP, UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heifetz, R., & Linsky, M. (2002). Leadership on the line. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffer, K. (2007). An analysis of the school inspection system in Sindh, Pakistan. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Institute of Education, University of London.

  • Jamil, B. R. (2002). Decentralization and devolution: Educational implications of the Praetorian interpretation. Lahore: Idara-e-Taleem-o-Agahi Public Trust.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenya Ministry of Education, Science, Technology (2000). Handbook for inspection of educational institutions. Nairobi: Government of Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leithwood, K. A., Edge, K., & Jantzi, D. (1999). Educational accountability: The state of the art. Gutersloh: Bertelsmann Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, C. K. L. (2005). Accountability versus school development: Self-evaluation in an international school in Hong Kong. International Studies in Educational Administration, 33(1), 2–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • London, N. A. (2004). School inspection, the inspectorate and educational practice in Trinidad and Tobago. Journal of Educational Administration, 42(4), 479–502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacBeath, J. (2008). Leading learning in the self-evaluating school. Journal of School Leadership and Management, 28(4), 385–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacBeath, J., & McGlynn, A. (2002). Self-evaluation: What’s in it for schools? London: Routledge Falmer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Memon, M. (2001). Review of the management of schools education in Sindh. A consultancy report for Sindh elementary education sector reform. Karachi: Education Department, Government of Sindh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Memon, M., Shah, N., & Kazi, Z. H. (2002). Decentralization of education system in Sindh: A critical review. Paper presented at the Research and Policy Dialogues on Key Issues in Education: Decentralization, July 10–12, 2002, Islamabad.

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1959). Report of the Commission on National Education. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1969). National educational policy and implementation programme. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1970). The new education policy of the government of Pakistan, March 1970. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1972). The education policy 1972–1980. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1978). Development of education in Pakistan (1978–1980). Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1992). National education policy ‘92 (1992–2002). Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1998a). National educational policy 1998–2010. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (1998b). Ninth five-year planning issue paper 1998–2003. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (2007). Green paper on national education policy review. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • MoE [Ministry of Education] (2009). National education policy 2009. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nias, J. (1990). Primary teachers talking: A study of teaching as work. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osborn, M., McNess, E., & Broadfoot, P. (2000). What teachers do: Changing policy and practice in primary education. London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perera, W. J. (1997). Changing schools from within: A management intervention for improving school functioning in Sri Lanka. Trends in school supervision series. Paris: IIEP, UNESCO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Power, S., Halpin, D., & Whitty, G. (1997). Managing the state and the market: “New” education management in five countries. British Journal of Educational Studies, 45(4), 342–362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudd, P., & Davies, D. (2000). Evaluating school self-evaluation. Paper presented at the British educational research association conference, Cardiff University. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00001641.htm.

  • Scott, P. (1989). Accountability, responsiveness and responsibility. In R. Glatter (Ed.), Educational institutions and their environments: Managing the boundaries. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • SEMIS [Sindh Education Management Information System] (2004–2005). Sindh Education Profile 2004–2005. Karachi: Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh.

  • Sheikh, A. Q. (2000). Feasibility study report on review of present system and implications of elementary education. Karachi: Education Department, Government of Sindh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddiqui, H. (1987). Education in Sindh: Past and present. Hyderabad: Institute of Sindhology, University of Sindh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sindh lifts ban on jobs (2004, October 21). Dawn, p. 1. http://www.dawn.com/2004/10/21/top10.htm.

  • UNESCO (2005). Education for All: The quality imperative. Global Monitoring Report 2005. Paris: UNESCO.

  • Watson, J. K. P. (1994). School inspectors and supervision. In T. Husen & T. N. Postlethwaite (Eds.), The international encyclopaedia of education. Oxford: Pergamon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitty, G., Power, S., & Halpin, D. (1998). Devolution and choice in education: The school, the state and the market. Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, B. (2000). Making school inspection visits more effective: The English experience. Working document. Trends in school supervision series. Paris: IIEP, UNESCO.

  • Winkler, D., & Hatfield, R. (2002). The devolution of education in Pakistan. In IED [Institute for Educational Development] (Ed.), Research and policy dialogues on key issues in education: Decentralization. Islamabad: IED. http://www1.worldbank.org/publicsector/decentralization/Feb2004Course/Background%20materials/Winkler2.doc.

  • Wanzare, Z. O. (n.d.). Rethinking school inspection in the Third World: The case of Kenya. http://www.ualberta.ca/~ckreber/papers/zak.htm.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Educational Development, Aga Khan University, A/271 Block C, North Nazimabad, Karachi, 74700, Pakistan

    Kulsoom Jaffer

Authors
  1. Kulsoom Jaffer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kulsoom Jaffer.

About this article

Cite this article

Jaffer, K. School inspection and supervision in Pakistan: Approaches and issues. Prospects 40, 375–392 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-010-9163-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-010-9163-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation