Project Management Skills and Performance of Strengthening of Mathematics & Science in Secondary Education (Smasse) Project in Gatundu South Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The SMASSE project was initiated in 1998 to address Kenya's mass failures in STEM subjects. Despite national efforts, reports show a persistent decline. Existing studies on project management skills and performance focus on different sectors, leaving a crucial gap in understanding the influence of these skills on SMASSE project performance in Gatundu South Sub-County, Kenya. This investigation purposes to fill this gap by exploring the role played by project management skills on performance of the SMASSE project in Gatundu South Sub-County, Kenya. The study focuses on human resource management, risk management, cost management, and monitoring and evaluation skills. The research adopted a descriptive correlational survey design. The study then targeted 600 project staff comprising of 47 project coordinators, 70 national trainers, 120 sub-county trainers and 363 trained teachers. A sample size of 240 project staff was determined using the Yamane formula and a.Stratified random sampling procedure was utilized to select the sampled participants. The study adopted both descriptive and inferential analysis procedures whereby under descriptive analysis, statistics for instance standard deviation, mean, frequency, and percentage were utilized while under inferential analysis, regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation were used to determine the effect and the relationship between performance of the SMASSE project, which was the dependent variable, and the project management skills. The findings, drawn from descriptive and inferential analyses, revealed that the examined project management skills explained 77.2% of the variation in project performance. Specifically, the study established positive perceptions regarding human resource management skills, indicating a well-trained and effective team. Similarly, positive sentiments were reported for risk management skills, highlighting effective standard operating procedures and contingency plans. The findings established a significant and positive linear correlation between cost management skills, monitoring and evaluation and performance of SMASSE project. Monitoring and appraisal skills are also positively perceived, emphasizing training, adherence to procedures, and effective use of Key Performance Indicators. The study recommended continuous training to enhance skills and measures to strengthen risk, cost, and monitoring and evaluation practices. Further research was suggested to explore variables not considered in the current model and to compare findings with similar initiatives in diverse regions.