A study of the role of religious school sponsors in Management of public secondary schools

Abstract

This research attempts to investigate the role of religious school sponsors in management of public secondary schools in South lmenti District. The purpose of the investigation was specifically to establish the role played by these sponsors in financing and provision of physical and material support in the schools they sponsor. The level of involvement of other stakeholders in management of public secondary schools was further investigated. The research used survey design to collect the data from the members of the population. Stratified random sampling was used where by the schools were stratified in terms of religious sponsors. The public secondary school head teachers, religious school sponsors and District Education Officer (D.E.O) participated in the study. Open-ended and close ended questionnaire items were administered to 48 public secondary schools head teachers and 4 religious school sponsors while an interview was conducted with the District Education Officer (D.E.O). Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. Findings indicated that religious school sponsors were actively involved in upholding religious traditions of their schools mostly through pastoral programs and support of other religious activities in schools. TIiese activities include pastoral counselling, semmars, spiritual retreats, Sunday services among others. Data collected proved that the religious school sponsors did not contribute any finances directly to run the school but they participated in fund raising programs and some donated equipment such as laboratory equipment, books and assisted in paying schools fees for the poor students. The researcher also found that all the religious school sponsors demanded consultation before appointment of head teachers in their sponsored schools. The data collected also revealed that the sponsors were not contented with the role assigned to them in the Education Act. Therefore; they demanded for a greater role in areas such as financial management and autonomy in appointment of support staff. Conflict areas between the religious school sponsors and other stakeholders such as P.T.A, B.O.O and the Ministry of Education were reported especialJy when it comes to appointment of head teachers. The recommendations for the study are: religious school sponsors are required to take part in spiritual, financial and infrustructural development of the school they sponsor in order to maintain the sponsors status; the Education Act should clearly provide the definition of a sponsor so as those who do not meet its definition requirement do not purport to enjoy its privileges.