Influence of principals' communication strategies on studeents' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in Kitui District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of principals' communication strategies on students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the influence of academic days/ clinics on academic performance, to explore how use of 'barazas' influence academic performance in public secondary schools in Kitui district, to assess the influence of the use of notices boards on academic performance in public secondary schools in Kitui district and to establish the role played by class meetings on academic performance in public secondary school in Kitui. The study used descriptive survey design. The study targeted all principals, teachers and form three students in the 50 public secondary schools. Simple random sampling was used to select fifteen principals and teachers for the study. The researcher used one instrument in this study that is a questionnaire which was considered the most suitable research instrument for descriptive research design. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and from the frequency counts a calculator was used to calculate percentages. The findings and the conclusions made included open / clinic days are important for setting performance targets for both the students and their parents. This is because the parents are able to identify the problems the students have in particular subjects and may be able to assist through discussion with teachers on the way forward in order for the students to perform well. Although 'barazas' are not often used in schools there is need for the principals to encourage the holding of barazas since they help the students to air their problems that affect their academic performance and also get feedback from both the teachers and principals where applicable. Notice boards are a persuasive way of communicating; The students are able to realize what is expected of them especially when their performance is displayed this will help them to work extra hard. Class meetings should often be used to establish the challenges the students are going through in a class. The following were the recommendations of the study. The principals should be encouraged to hold open/ clinic days' oftenly since this helps in communication between the parents, students and teachers. When barazas are held oftenly between the principal, teachers and the students, problems regarding students' performance in national examinations are discussed and realistic goals and strategies are suggested. The study recommends class meetings at school level aimed at making students more proactive and visionary.