Influence of headteachers' characteristics in performing the administrative tasks in public secondary schools in Nairobi North District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of principals' characteristics in performing their administrative tasks in Nairobi North District Specifically to determine whether the head teachers' characteristics affect their administrative roles in public secondary schools in Nairobi North District, whether the head teachers' characteristics affect their pedagogical roles in public secondary schools in Nairobi North District and whether the head teachers' characteristics affect their strategic roles in public secondary schools in Nairobi North District.

The study was based on the skills approach to effective leadership. The underlying principle of skills approach is that leadership requires the task relevant knowledge and abilities to formulate and implement solutions to social and technical problems and to accomplish goals effectively (Wayne & Miskel 2005). The study targeted all the 16 public secondary schools in the district represented by 16 headteachers and 480 teachers. A sample of 16 head teachers and 80 teachers was selected using purposeful stratified random sampling technique as a result, 116 questionnaires were issued, where 66 questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 66 percent. The filled questionnaires were coded,

Cleaned and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and data presented using tables. The study established that a significant relationship existed between headteacher characteristics (age, training, education level and experience) and administrative roles leading to the conclusion that headteacher characteristics influenced their administrative roles in the district. It further established that there was a strong relationship between headteacher characteristics (age, training, education level and experience) and pedagogical roles leading to the conclusion that headteacher characteristics influenced headteachers pedagogical roles in the district.

And that a strong relationship between headteacher characteristics (age, training, education level and experience) and strategic roles leading to the conclusion that headteacher characteristics influenced their strategic roles in the district. Based on the findings the study recommended that were made a survey be conducted to establish the root causes of the high mobility of teachers in the province, that more boys schools be established to ensure equitable access to learning facilities for both boys and girls, that the headteachers be sensitized on the role and importance of vision and mission statements. Further research was suggested on the extent to which schools understood vision and mission statements.