Developing a Strategy for School Improvement

The study investigates low rate of literacy, low standards, wastage in the shape of large number of failures at each level of education, low level of achievement, non-availability of leadership, disinterested teachers and complete lack of administrative skills at Federal and Provincial levels coupled with extremely low investment in education. On the other hand, a set of brilliant students and a handful of devoted teachers have been the hope for an improved system. (Farooq, 1994) The study was descriptive in nature which attempted to develop a strategy for school improvement at the secondary level of girls? high schools in Peshawar city Khyber Pakhtunkhawa . The main objectives of the study included situational analysis to find out causes that hampered school improvement and to develop a viable strategy for school improvement.The undermention are of the key questions which were examined in the study: 1. What is the current status of quality of education in government girls? high schools?2. What are the factors that lead to deterioration of quality of education at the secondary level?3. What strategy should be adopted for school improvement at the secondary level? Population of the study included 08 (50%) out of 16 government girls? high schools in Peshawar city, 08 (50%) out of 16 headmistresses, 08 (50%) out of 16 senior teachers and 04 (100%) district level education officers. The data was collected through simple random sampling. Both primary and secondary sources were used for collection of data. The primary data were collected through interviews with the headmistresses and district level education officers. An open-ended questionnaire was administered to senior teachers. The secondary data were collected from checklist, school record and a study of documents. The outcome of the study indicated that poor quality of education is due to pressures on principals during admissions, political intervention, poor physical and basic facilities, and lack of commitment of teachers towards their profession, lack of school community relationship and absence of students? interest in education. The undermention recommendations are based on the identification of causes, that includs, frequent visits by EDOs, imparting professional training to teachers, prevention of frequent transfers of teachers, appointment of effective principals and teachers who could improve the current status of low quality of education.