Authors: Dr. Alice Dube, Dr. John Phiri
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess The Effect of Unplanned Teacher and Staff Meetings on Learner’s Academic Performance in Selected Schools of Chipata District, Zambia. The study explored factors that reduced time for teaching and learning and suggested strategies that could be employed to reduce time loss. The concurrent embedded design of the mixed methods approach was used with quantitative data adding detail to the qualitative data. A questionnaire collected data from 1 primary school teachers while interview guides were used to collect data from the primary school head teacher. A focus group guide was used to collect data from 24 learners. The qualitative was analyzed using emerging themes. Quantitative data from the questionnaire was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that, the time that learners received for learning was not adequate. Learners being in ninth grade also affirmed that the time that remained for them to cover the remaining content in subjects before they could write their examinations was not adequate. Teachers noted this from the low coverage of the syllabus. The Head teacher also indicated that, the time for teaching was not adequate to cover for content in the syllabi. On factors that reduced teaching time, the study revealed factors such as staff unplanned meetings that took place during learning time, unplanned holidays. Classroom factors included teachers performing disciplinary cases, attending to slow learners and teaching methods that consumed most of the time. However, some measures such as having school councils to monitor teachers, having class registers for teacher’s accountability and reducing unplanned teacher and staff meetings were already employed by the school as it was revealed by the head teacher. It was concluded that the time that was utilised for teaching was not adequate and a number of factors revealed in the study contributed to the loss of time in selected primary schools in Chipata district. It was suggested that, there was need for proper planning of teacher and staff meetings and incentives to teachers in order to encourage commitment to duty. It was recommended that there was need for continuous professional development of teachers with regard to strategies of how the limited time could be made manageable such as seminars, workshops and refresher courses to equip teachers and administrators with knowledge, skills and attitude on proper time management practices.
