Supervision is the process of working with teachers to improve their performance in their professional chores. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of supervision of teachers by heads of schools in Binga primary schools in Western Zimbabwe. The study was quantitative and utilised a descriptive survey design. The population comprised of all primary school heads and teachers in Binga District. The sample consisted of 200 teachers and 20 heads of schools. Of the sample respondents, 120 were male and 100 female. All the information was collected through a questionnaire which had both close-ended and open-ended questions. The study revealed that both teachers and heads concurred that supervision as it obtained in their schools needed more time and resources. It also revealed that heads were using models of supervision that did not promote teacher growth and motivation. The study recommends that heads of schools should not be allocated a class to teach if they are to effectively carry out their supervisory roles. The study also recommends that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education should organise workshops and in-service training sessions to help heads acquire better skills for supervising teachers.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the challenges faced by rural primary school teachers in the teaching of English reading to infant classes in Jojo West Cluster schools in Nkayi district of Zimbabwe. The population comprised of all the teachers teaching infant classes in the cluster. The sample comprised of 20 respondents purposively selected. The study adopted the descriptive survey design and the questionnaire was used for collecting data. The main findings of the study revealed that the majority of infant teachers were not qualified to teach these classes. The study also revealed that teachers taught English using vernacular words and this confused the children. Children were also not provided with a variety of reading materials and the home background did not assist pupils acquire the language. The study recommends inter alia, that all teacher training colleges in Zimbabwe should introduce the Early Childhood development programme in order to multiply the production of infant teachers. The study also recommends that infants classes should be exposed to a lot of material in the English language to help them build their vocabulary.