The influence of the sponsor on administration of public secondary schools in Mwingi district, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the sponsor on public secondary school administration in Mwingi District. Four research questions were formulated to guide the study. Research question one sought to determine the level of knowledge of the sponsors and head teachers in the administration of public secondary school, research question two sought to establish the influence of the sponsor in the administration and development of sponsored schools, research question three sought to identify the areas of conflict in the administration of public secondary schools between the sponsor and the head teachers while research questions sought to identify the problematic areas facing sponsor and the school heads in the administration of public secondary schools in Mwingi District and possible solutions. Literature review focused on different areas regarding role of the sponsor in educational administration. The population of the study was all the headteachers and sponsors of sponsored public secondary schools in the district, the District Education Officer, (DEO) and the Area Education Officer (ABO). The sample consisted of 31 headteachers, 4 sponsors, the DEO and 2 AEOs. Data was collected from the headteachers, sponsors and DEO and the AEO by use of a questionnaire and interview guide. Findings revealed that the sponsors played the role of advisory to the school administration. They also proposed school headship. They formed part of the Board of Governors (BOG) and also visited schools conducting pastoral programmes. It was also found out that the sponsor influenced the school administration in matters of use of school facilities such as school bus and school buildings, hiring and firing of non-teaching staff, replacement of BOG teachers and construction and development of the school. The findings revealed some areas of conflict between the sponsor and school administration. These included demand by the spon~or to have a headteacher they want. Pushing for the appointment of church goers to school headship and BOG instead of people that could perform in the school administration. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that sponsors played a role in school administration such as advisory, maintaining the religious traditions of the school, guidance and spiritual assistance and in management of schools. However the sponsors were hindered by various aspects which made them seen by the headteachers as interfering with school administration. Most of the sponsors were not conversant with their roles in school administration. For effective role they should be enhanced in their roles as stipulated in the Education Act. The study also concluded that lack of knowledge of their roles as sponsors led to conflict between them and school administration. It was also concluded that there were problematic areas that the sponsors faced in their roles in the general school administration. Lack of understanding of the sponsors roles was a major cause of such problems. These policies need to be therefore understood by all. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that, there is need to have clear policies regarding the different roles of all those involved in the school administration. This will assist in avoiding some of the problems encountered within the school administration. It was also recommended since the headteachers were both working to enhance proper teaching and learning in the schools, both parties should come together and devise ways of working together. There should not be suspicion among them but rather cooperation. Lastly it was recommended that the Ministry of Education should ensure that their roles stipulated in the Education act are also understood by the sponsors. This should be done by for example making sure that the sponsors appointed are well grounded in matters of education, with clear roles defined for the school sponsors. Taking the limitations and delimitations of the study the researcher suggested that there is need to conduct a research to investigate on the effect of sponsor in the management of student discipline. There is need to conduct a research to investigate whether there are significant differences in the management of sponsored and un sponsored schools, hence appraise the role of the sponsor in school administration.