QUALITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN EDUCATION: WHAT SAY THE SCHOOL HEADS?

The purpose of the study was to provide a view of school heads on what can be done to promote an environment that can assure quality and accountability in education. The study was qualitative in nature and adopted the multiple case study design. The study was conducted with six secondary school heads that were purposively sampled from a group of forty school heads. Data was collected using observations and interviews which were digitally audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed through coding, categorizing and identification of emerging themes. The findings from the study indicate that school heads can foster a conducive environment for assuring quality and accountability in education by maintaining positive relationships with members of staff, providing training to staff members, and providing material and financial resources as well as promoting professional growth and development of their teachers. School heads should also form partnerships with the private sector in order to secure funding. The study recommends that the parent Ministry of Education Sports Arts and Culture should raise educator awareness on the necessity of quality assurance and accountability in schools as well as providing further training and encourage educators to improve their qualifications.