Abstract :
The main purpose of this study was to explore the monitoring mechanism of secondary schools in respect of education quality under devolution and decentralization. A case study method was adopted by selecting three districts one from each province. Data was collected from 56 supervisors/head teachers of District Education Departments through interviews and focus group discussions. The study found that the monitoring mechanism to supervise schools exist at the district level, however, it was not properly organized. According to official norms, the supervisors are required to allocate ten days in every month for the school visits, but they are unable to do so due to other official assignments. The non-existence of standards for the monitoring of schools makes the work of supervisors even more difficult. The supervisors prepare the school visit reports but there is no proper mechanism to analyze these reports. The District Education Management Information Systems (DEMISs) were functional in the sample districts but they were unable to compute the district or school level indicators. The performance of secondary school head teachers and teachers was evaluated on the basis of Secondary School Certificate exam results. The authority and power of District Education Officers (DEOs) have been reduced after devolution due to which they are unable to resolve the school problems. The main reasons for not solving the school problems are the lack of power and authority of district managers for the creation of teaching staff positions, political interference in the administrative affairs of schools and the lack of financial resources.
