An Evaluation of Principals’ Supervisory Practices on Academic Performance in Mathematics among Secondary School Students in Rivers State
Authors
Research and Programme Development, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Uyo Zonal Command (Nigeria)
General Studies Unit, Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State (Nigeria)
General Studies Unit, Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State (Nigeria)
Article Information
DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS.2025.91200064
Subject Category: Education
Volume/Issue: 9/12 | Page No: 758-770
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2025-12-08
Accepted: 2025-12-16
Published: 2025-12-31
Abstract
The study was to an evaluation of principals’ supervisory practices on academic performance in mathematics among secondary school students in Rivers State. Four hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted the survey design on a population of 268 public senior secondary schools and 31,945 senior secondary two (SSII) students. A sample size of 810 senior secondary two students was selected via the multi-stage sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a test titled “Students’ Academic Performance Test in Mathematics (SAPTM)”. The test was validated by experts and subjected to a test re-test reliability index of .89. The analysis was done using Paired Sample t-test with aid of IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0. The results revealed that, all the variables appeared strongly statistically significant: The p-value is less than the chosen alpha value or significance level (p < 0.05). In conclusion the study indicated that, there is a significant influence of principals’ supervisory practices on academic performance in mathematics among secondary school students in Rivers State. Thus recommendations were that: Principals should regularly conduct classroom observations to monitor teaching practices and provide constructive feedback to teachers; Principals should implement strict policies to ensure teachers consistently attend their lessons; Principals should regularly review and scrutinize teachers' schemes of work to ensure they are comprehensive and aligned with curriculum standards and Principals should schedule regular conferences with teachers to discuss instructional strategies, classroom challenges, and student progress.
Keywords
Principals Supervisory Practices
Downloads
References
1. Akinfolarin, C. A., Babalola, C. A. & Aladetan, F. I. (2017). Academic supervision as a correlate of students’ academic performance in secondary schools in Ekiti State, Nigeria. International Journal of Educational Policy Research and Review, 4(1), 8–13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Allen, E. (2015). Assistive technology for students with multiple disabilities. Education masters. Paper 299. https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/education ETD masters/299. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Anike, S. M., Egbe, O. O., Osa, I. P. & Motun, S. E. (2020). Clinical instructional supervisory practices and teachers’ professional efficiency in secondary schools in Calabar Education Zone, Nigeria. European Journal of Social Sciences, 60(3), 136-145. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Charles, E. (2015). Class size and mathematical ability as correlates of achievement in secondary school economics in Rivers State. [Unpublished master’s thesis] University of Benin, Benin City. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Charles, E. (2019). Construction and standadization of achievement test (multiple choice) on economics for senior secondary two (SSII) students in Rivers State. Paper Presentation, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Dangara, U. Y. (2015). The impact of instructional supervision on academic performance of secondary school students in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(10), 160-167. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Enaigbe, A. P. (2009). Strategies for improving supervisory skills for effective primary education in Nigeria. Edo Journal Counselling, 2(2), 236–241. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Fischer, F. C. & Goldberg, F. (2021). Supervision of instruction. http://www.stanswartz.com/ adm.txt/chap3.htm. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Iroegbu, E. E. & Etudor-Eyo E. (2016). Principals’ instructional supervision and teachers’ Effectiveness. British Journal of Education, 4(7), 99-109. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. James, N., David, M. & Thinguri, R. (2014). Evaluating the impact of primary school headteachers’ supervisory practices on academic performance in Githunguri Sub-County, Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(21), 47-58. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Kotirde, I. Y. & Yunos, J. B. (2015). The processes of supervisions in secondary schools educational system in Nigeria: 4th World congress on technical and vocational education and training (WoCTVET). Journal of Social Behavoural Science, 259–264. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Luga, M. N. (2016). Demographic variables as predictors of effective secondary school supervisory practices in North Central States of Nigeria. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Nigeria. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Muasa, D. M. (2022). Influence of principals’ instructional supervisory practices on students’ academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, in public secondary schools in Mashuru Sub-County, Kenya. Master’s Thesis, Machakos University, Kenya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Mustapha, M. M. (2018). Supervisory practices adopted by headmasters of SHSs and external supervisors in the Adansi Educational Directorates of Ashanti Region. Master's Thesis, Machakos University, Kenya. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. National Policy on Education (2014). Federal republic of Nigeria. NERDC Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Omaali, D., Nabukeera, M. & Godfrey, E. (2021). Instructional supervision practice and effective teaching in Ugandan secondary schools’. International Journal of Education and Research, 9(3), 219-232. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Onyali, L. C. & Akinfolarin, A. V. (2017). Principals’ application of instructional leadership practices for secondary school effectiveness in Oyo State. Journal of Nigerian Academic Education, 13(1), 32–44. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Providence, N. & Cyprien, S. (2022). Contribution of instructional supervision practices by the school authorities in improving learners’ academic performance in private secondary schools Burera District Rwanda. Voice of Research, 10(4), 23-29. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Rahim, A., Rahman, A., Tahir, L. M., Nisrin, S., Anis, M. & Ali, M. F. (2020). Exploring challenges in practicing instructional leadership: Insights from senior secondary principals. Universal Journal in Educational Research, 8(11C), 83–96. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.082310. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Sesen, E. (2015). Role theory and its usefulness in public. European Journal of Business and Social Science, 4(1) 136-143. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Sota, V. V. (2019). Parental influence on subject selection and academic performance of secondary school students in Rivers-East Senatorial District, Rivers State. [Unpublished master’s thesis] Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. U-Sayee, C. R. & Adomako, E. B. (2021). Supervisory practices and challenges faced by senior high school principals in Greater Monrovia, Liberia: Implications for quality education. Heliyon, 7, 1-8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Wieczorek, D., & Manard, C. (2018). Instructional leadership challenges and practices of novice principals in rural schools. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 34(2), 1-21. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Wyatt, T. (2017). Enhancing instructional leadership: Lessons from the NSW literacy and numeracy action plan. 28–33. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
- Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
- “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
- Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
- Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study