Individual Factors Influencing Competence Of Board Of Management Members In Human Resource Management Of Public Secondary Schools In Kathonzweni District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the individual factors influencing Board of Management’ competencies in human resource management of public secondary schools in Kathonzweni district, Kenya. The study was guided by five objectives that focused the influence of the level of education of BOM, the management experience, the BOM training level, the professional status and the challenges facing the BOM members in managing the human resources in schools. The study adopted the descriptive survey design and the main tool for data analysis was a questionnaire. The target population constituted all the 355 Board of Management members and 35 principals in public secondary schools in Kathonzweni district,. The sample size comprised of 32 principals and 120 BOM members. The data analysis was done by use of SPSS where the Chi-square was used to establish the relationship between variables. Through data analysis the study established that majority of BOM members had certificate as the highest level of education with a total of 36 entries followed by diploma holders with 31 entries, degree holders had 17 entries while masters and PhD had had 5 and 1 entries respectively. The chi-square test shows that when academic qualification is cross-tabulated with BOM self evaluation factors such as effectiveness on staff recruitment, competence in staff motivation. Strategies of staff motivation, staff talent development and turnover, staff discipline management and employee separation, none of these factors has any significant relationship with academic level of BOM members this is exemplified by the fact that even when majority of BOM members had certificate as their highest level of education, they rated themselves fairly high at an average score of 3. The study also established that the length of service of BOM member does not really matter as far making an impact in human resource management is concerned. On the profession status of the BOM member the study established that the current profession status of BOM members helps in making strategies on staff development. On whether BOM members had attended a workshop on school management, majority (about 54 percent) of BOM members said they had not. The study also established effectiveness in staff recruitment (0.02) and staff talent development and turnover (0.05) are influenced by BOM training skills. Based on the findings of the study the researcher recommends that; there is need to limit the period of service of a BOM member to a fixed five year term. The study also recognizes the importance of appointing BOM members based on merit where people in careers such as medics, engineers or lawyers so that they can encourage or motivate teachers to further develop themselves through education or financial enrichment. There is also need to recruit graduates as board members in order to lift the profile of the school.