International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews

ISSN 2329-9843

International Journal of Educational Research and Reviews ISSN 2329-9843 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 235-239, June, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An assessment of quality assurance and standards officers competence: Implications for training

*Peter Marenda Amoth, Felix O. Nasasira and Fred K. Nsibambi

Department of Educational Communication, Technology and Curriculum Studies,  St. Paul's University, Nairobi City, Kenya.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 14 May, 2015

Abstract

Training of Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASO) is essential for effective performance of their duties. However, this training is rarely based on the officers’ own identified needs. This diminishes the training relevance and effectiveness. The purpose of this study was to establish from the QASO themselves the extent to which they were competent in five skills commonly suggested in the literature as relevant to their work performance. The selected skills were human relations, knowledge of the subject, supervision approach, report writing and action research. The study also sought to find out what topics would be of interest to the QASO from their own perspectives. The study was carried out in Kisumu District in the Republic of Kenya. The sample size was 8 QASO, who responded to a Questionnaire and interview schedule. Findings of the study were that competence of QASO on the five skills was average. They needed further training in all these. The study further suggests a list of topics for inclusion in training programme for the QASO on priority basis.

Keywords: Perception, quality assurance and standards, competencies, curriculum.