Factors influencing headteachers' role in administration of public secondary schools in Nakuru district, Kenya

Abstract

The study endeavoured to identify factors influencing headteachers' role in administration of public secondary schools in Nakuru district. It sought to establish how demographic factors, size of the school, location of the school, staff personnel and financial management influence headteachers' role.

The target population was 46 public secondary school headteachers in Nakuru district. The research design used in this study was descriptive survey. All the 46 headteachers were included in the study. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).

The key findings of the study revealed that many public secondary schools in Nakuru district have a shortage of teachers. The location of the schools poses a challenge due to easy access to drugs, as the schools are located within the municipality. School supervision by quality assurance officers is done mainly when there is a problem. The challenges from teachers are lateness and lack of team work.

Most headteachers expenence financial problems because the government does not disburse the money for free secondary education in time. There are more male headteachers than females in schools due to gender bias brought about by cJ.JJ.4irailnfluence. Most headteachers had a Bachelor of Education degree and had an- experience of over 5years. Headteachers had adequate

experience to manage schools. The government does not disburse funds to run the schools in time. The recommendations include that Teachers Service Commission should employ more teachers to cater for the shortage in schools. The Ministry of Education should organize short courses to equip headteachers on financial management.

The communities neighbouring schools should help in controlling access to drugs and alcohol to students. The government should disburse funds in good time to ensure efficient service delivery. Headteachers should allow their teachers to participate more in the administration of the schools. The study came up with the following recommendations for further research similar researches to be done in other districts before generalizations are made. A study can be done to find out training needs of newly appointed headteachers in Nakuru district. A study can be carried out to investigate headteachers' role in the administration of private secondary schools. Finally a study can be carried out to investigate the perceptions of Parent Teacher Association and Board of Governor concerning administration of schools.