Influence of Principals’ Supervisory Strategies in Sports Performance in Public Secondary Schools, Dagoretti and Westlands Sub-counties, Kenya

Abstract

The impact of principals' supervisory tactics in sports is crucial for guaranteeing the success of sports programs both within and beyond the school. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of principals' supervisory strategies on sports performance in public secondary schools located in Dagoretti and Westlands Sub-Counties. The study aimed to assess how the school principal contributes to creating a favorable environment for sports programs, to determine the impact of delegated responsibilities on sports programs, to examine the influence of the principal's scheduling decisions on sports programs, and to evaluate the effect of the principal's provision of sports facilities and equipment on sports performance. If the principal effectively oversees sports activities and supplies necessary equipment, the sports performance will be enhanced. Delegating sports responsibilities to the games teachers will instill a sense of trust and contribute to the improvement of sports performance. By strategically planning sports scheduling in accordance with the Physical Education guidelines provided by the Ministry of Education, including friendlies and KSSA competitions, the sports performance can be further improved. Additionally, providing sports facilities such as balls and fields/courts will lead to an enhanced sports performance. The study was guided by the Path-Goal theory of leadership, developed by Robert House in 1971, and the Transformational Leadership theory, proposed by Bass in 1985. The study design employed was a descriptive survey. The study focused on a sample of 24 Principals, 24 Sports Teachers, and 15,000 Students. The population size for each group was 22, 20, and 375, respectively. The data was gathered by the administration of questionnaires to instructors and pupils, as well as conducting interviews with principals. The acquired data was then organized and presented using tables and pie charts. The research findings indicate that the principal's supervising tactics have a crucial role in ensuring pupils' high performance in sports. By creating a favorable sports atmosphere, assigning sports tasks to instructors, implementing appropriate sports scheduling, and ensuring the availability of sports equipment and facilities, the principal can significantly enhance student involvement and achievement in sports. The study suggests that the community should provide resources such as fields and balls, as well as financial assistance, to support student participation in sports. It also emphasizes the importance of students actively engaging in sports and striving for excellence. Furthermore, it recommends that teachers play a role in implementing sports activities in schools by serving as coaches and mentors to the students. Lastly, the study suggests that the principal should adopt effective supervisory strategies to ensure a balance between academic and extracurricular activities in school. The Ministry of Education in Kenya should provide comprehensive training for teachers to serve as trainers and referees in various sports disciplines. Additionally, they should provide funds specifically for sports activities and only approve the registration of schools that had sufficient sports facilities.