Influence of Appraisal on Teacher Innovativeness and Creativity in Teaching on Pupils' Academic Performance in Public Primary Schools in Bungoma West Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The goal of any appraisal system is to assess and summarize past performance, and develop future work performance targets. On January 2016, the Teachers Service Commission introduced a fresh performance appraisal system public school teacher in Kenya. This study therefore was set to assess appraisal on teacher's innovativeness and creativity in teaching and the influence on pupil's academic performance in public primary schools in Bungoma West sub-County, Kenya. The research used a descriptive survey method with a target population of 725. The sample comprised of 1school quality assurance Officer, 4Curriculum Support Officers, 82 head teachers and 638 teachers. The sample size was determined using Krejcie and Morgan table for determining sample sizes. The study then adopted a stratified random sampling technique followed by simple random sampling to draw 35 head teachers and 105 teachers to form a total sample size of 140. The 4 Curriculum Support Officers and 1 school quality assurance Officer were purposively included in the study. The study used structured questionnaires, interview guides and content analysis as the main tools of data collection. The instruments were validated by the supervisors. Reliability of the instruments was determined through a pilot study of two schools and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.721 obtained and accepted as indicating that the instruments were reliable. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis using the statistical package for social sciences version 20.0. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed as per themes and sub-themes and described using quotations. The study established that although high levels of teacher creativity was evident through improvisation using locally available resources; online educational materials that could influence academic performance were scanty. The study recommended that the Head teachers should be encouraged to reinforce the use of innovative ways of teaching to make learning more interesting and enjoyable. This can be done by supporting activities that are geared towards creativity enhancement. The government should also provide free internet connectivity in all public institutions of learning to ensure easy access to online educational reference materials.

Influence of Appraisal on Teacher Innovativeness and Creativity in Teaching on Pupils' Academic Performance in Public Primary Schools in Bungoma West Sub County, Kenya