Challenges faced by board of governors in teacher recruitment in Baringo district, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the challenges faced by the BOG in the process of recruitment of teachers in Baringo District. Six research questions were formulated to guide in the study. Research question one sought to determine factors affecting teacher recruitment; research question two sought to establish the criteria used by the BOG in the selection of secondary school teachers; research question three sought to establish various challenges BOG face as they perform their teacher recruitment duties. Research question four sought to establish personnel factors that affect BOG members in their role of teacher recruitment; research question five aimed at establishing whether there arc any political factors that affect the BOG in teacher recruitment and research question six wanted to establish how the challenges that face the BOG members in teacher recruitment can be resolved. The review of literature focused on the literature related to teacher recruitment. This entailed education before independence, teacher recruitment, legal framework of the BOG, decentralization of teacher recruitment to BOG, review of related studies and challenges that the BOG members face in their role of teacher recrui tment. The study employed descriptive survey. Data was collected by use of questionnaires. findings indicated that some of the selection panels did not have the recommended number people that make up the panel. For example some respondents reported that they did not have a representative from the TSC. This was a challenge in that there was nobody to ensure that the TSC guidelines were followed. It was also revealed that some BOG members had low educational standards or were illiterate. The study also found out that a number of the BOG members were not aware of the guidelines set by the TSC. Most of the BOG members had vested interests in the recruitment process in that they had their own favouritc candidates that they forced into being selected. There was political interference also in the teacher recruitment process. Some politicians used the BOG members to push their own candidates into the job. Based on the findings, it was concluded that there were various challenges that faced the BOG in the process of teacher recruitment. In the light of the research findings, it was recommended that all those charged with the responsibility of teacher recruitment should be well prepared and sensitized on the TSC guidelines to ensure that justice is done during the recruitment process. The study also recommended that BOG members should have a set educational standard before being appointed into the school board. This is because illiteracy and low educational standards were found to be major challenges facing the process. Lastly it was recommended that there is need to incorporate some moral issues in the TSC guidelines which will cater for issues of nepotism, favouritism and tribalism. Taking the limitations and delimitations of the study, the researcher suggested that a study on attitude of BOG members and headtcachcrs on the decentralised teacher recruitment should be conducted. It was also suggested that there is need to conduct a study to establish whether there is any significant relationship between level of education of BOG members and their participation in school management. i\ study on the influence or sponsors in teacher recruitment process should also be conducted and lastly a study on impact of BOGs in the academic performance of the schools should also be done.