Impact of centralised instructional supervision on teachers : a case study of a private secondary school in Turkey

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a case study focusing on the implementation of centralised instructional supervisory practices at a private secondary school. It explores the perception of administrators, department heads, and teachers regarding the strengths, weaknesses and impact of this system on teaching and learning, teacher development, and school improvement. The results show that the present centralised inspection system has deficiencies due to its judgemental and subjective nature and its lack of adequate inspectors, both in terms of quantity and quality. Overall the system is seen as an administrative assessment and does not provide formative support to the teachers. This paper points out the need/or change of the existing system, where new forms of central inspection which fall outside government intervention are adopted or, alternatively, more importance is given to school-based forms of supervision.