How Primary School Students Perceive Inspectors and Inspection Period

Abstract

School inspection is essential for the educational achievements, and educators are inspected year at
schools every academic in Turkey. Students are also affected by the inspection process while their teachers are
examined by inspectors at class time. This study aimed to address primary school inspectors through the
perceptions of the students, whose teachers were inspected during a class time. A 16-item open ended question
form, which was developed by the authors, was conducted for the 60 5th-grade students who inspected. The data
gathered were analyzed through qualitative methods. The data suggest that inspectors’ manner such as shouting,
being angry, humiliating, scowling, being serious, controlling and taking notes, staring the students, and carrying
and playing ruler in his/her hands frightened the students. Besides, the students liked inspectors who were
friendly, kind, natty and well-dressed, and who made jokes, and used good communication skills. The results of
the study are supposed to foster the essence of school inspection and, in consequence, quality of education.