Trend of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Instructional Supervision in Public Higher Learning Institutions: A Case of Arusha Region, Tanzania

Abstract

The emergence of the COVID -19 pandemic as a new phenomenon on the globe has raised the eyebrows of educators to find ways of improving supervision as normally as it used to be before the pandemic. However, disruption of instruction has, by and large, caused a lot of inconveniences from both students and educators alike. The purpose of this study was to determine the trend of the COVID-19 pandemic on instructional supervision in public higher learning institutions in Arusha, Tanzania. The study applied a descriptive-correlation design using a quantitative approach. The sample size employed in the study was 151 respondents chosen randomly from the population of 450 instructors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics applied mean scores and standard deviation (SD). We employed the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (rho) to determine the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and instructional supervision in public higher learning institutions. Findings for the first research question showed COVID-19 pandemic has affected instructional supervision in public higher learning institutions. Findings for the second research question revealed that instructors have had a hard time meeting instructional obligations as they normally did before the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic. Findings for the third research question showed that there was a strong positive correlation between the COVID-19 situation and the instructional supervision in public higher learning institutions in Arusha Region. Based on the study findings, this research concludes that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected immensely on instructional supervision in public higher learning institutions in the Arusha Region. Based on the same findings, this study recommends that the government should increase grants for education to institutions to empower them with an adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) such as hand sanitizers, and face masks and also be able to furnish their labs with computer gadgets to ensure off-classroom learning possible