Supervision practices and human resource management efficiency in gulu district primary schools, Uganda: a survey based investigation

Research has demonstrated considerable controversy over the relationship between supervision and professional efficiency. This paper seeks to analyze the relationship between supervision practices and Human Resource Management efficiency (HRM) levels in Gulu district primary schools. The study employed a cross sectional parallel sample survey design. It was conducted on a sample of 14 supervisors, 39 headteachers and 237 teachers of primary schools in Gulu district. Data was collected through a questionnaire that contained 25 and 20 close-ended items to measure supervision practices and HRM efficiency levels respectively. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was ensured through experts’ opinion and pilot testing. A KR20 reliability coefficient of 0.77 and content validity index (CVI) of 0.90 for the supervision practices items were obtained. For the HRM efficiency level items, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.86 and CVI of 0.92 were obtained. The data was captured on an SPSS 17.0 data file and the Chi square test for independence used to analyze the three hypotheses. First, the results indicated that there was a significant difference in respondents’ perceptions of supervision practices. Supervisors perceived supervision practices as less supportive while headteachers and teachers perceived them as more supportive. Secondly, there was a significant difference in respondents’ perceptions of HRM efficiency levels. Supervisors perceived HRM efficiency as low while headteachers and teachers considered them as only moderate. Finally, there was a significant correlation between supervision practices and HRM efficiency levels. This implies that the less supportive the supervision practices, the lower the HRM efficiency levels. The study will serve as a motivation for application of more supportive supervision practices so that the human resource is developed to its full potential. The findings will also be useful to researchers in exploring factors affecting the effectiveness of supervision and inspection. The paper has four parts. First, it reviews the relevant literature and outlines the problem setting. Secondly, the research methodology is presented and discussed. Next, the findings are reported, discussed and conclusions drawn. The paper concludes with managerial implications and directions for further research.