iosr-JRME   Volume-1 ~ Issue-3

Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Harnessing students' diversities for effective instruction in inclusive classes: The case of Zimbabwe's Secondary Schools
Country	:	Zimbabwe
Authors	:	Dr. Onias Mafa
	:	10.9790/7388-0130107

Abstract: In view of the current movement towards inclusive education and education for all which means having students with special educational needs in the regular classrooms rather than special schooling, it has become imperative to find a workable solution that will benefit all students. This study focuses, from a didactic (teaching and learning) perspective; on how teachers can optimise inclusion for effective instruction. The study adopted a qualitative methodology, which made use of case study research design. Twenty five secondary school teachers from Bulawayo urban were purposively sampled. Focus group discussions and face-to-face interviews were used for data generation. Findings were that while teachers were aware of student diversities, and teaching strategies that could be used to exploit student diversities, they were not harnessing student diversities. Reasons were: time factor in relation to syllabi coverage; demanding nature of student-centred teaching methods; lack of resources; nature of student assessment and teachers' limited skills. Recommendations were that: there is need for pro-inclusive teacher development programmes; increasing resource availability including well equipped libraries and rethinking student assessment.

Key terms: students' diversities, inclusive classes, effective instruction, secondary schools

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Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Secondary School Principals and Their Efficient Management of School Records in Delta State, Nigeria
Country	:	Nigeria
Authors	:	Osakwe, Regina N.
	:	10.9790/7388-0130812

Abstract: This study examined the efficient management of school records by secondary school principals in Delta state, Nigeria. As a descriptive survey, the study population comprised of all the 602 public secondary school principals. The 602 principals were used as sample. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data which was subsequently analyzed using the mean scores and z-test statistics to answer the three research questions and to test the three hypotheses, respectively. The findings revealed that secondary school principals differ in their efficient management of school records in terms of gender, experience and school location. Based on these findings, it was recommended that government should provide adequate funds and facilities for the effective management of school records and there should be adequate training and retraining of principals through in-service programmes, conferences, seminars and workshops. Also effective supervision of school principals is necessary irrespective of gender, experience and school location. Keywords: Management, Principals, School records, Secondary schools, Delta state, Nigeria

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Paper Type	:	Research Paper
Title	:	Supervisory Functions of Secondary School Principals and Factors Competing With These Functions
Country	:	Nigeria
Authors	:	Osakwe, Regina N.
	:	10.9790/7388-0131319

Abstract: Educational supervision has passed through various phases in Nigeria. It is regarded as one of the essential functions which principals perform to achieve the objectives of the school system. This study focuses on issues related to the supervisory functions or secondary school principals and factors competing with them. It highlights the required skills and personal traits, the techniques of supervision and the basic principles for effective supervision by principals. Finally, the study drew conclusions and made recommendations that will improve the supervisory functions of principals despite the existence of competing factors.

Keywords: Supervision, Principals, Supervisory functions, Competing factors, Secondary schools, Delta State, Nigeria.

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