Determinants of deputy head teachers’ managerial practices in public primary schools in Kisau Division, Mbooni East District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the determinants of deputy head teachers’ managerial practices in public primary schools in Kisau Division of Mbooni East District, Kenya. Four research objectives that guided the study were formulated. The study employed the descriptive survey design and non probability sampling technique. The sample comprised of 66 deputy head teachers, 66 head teachers, 366 teachers and 3 zonal quality assurance and standards officers. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings indicated that decision communication styles, professional characteristics and leadership styles were the key determinants of effective deputy head teachers’ managerial practices. These enhanced a deputy head teacher’s managerial effectiveness in a school leading to improved work relations and academic performance among learners. The study further found out that majority of the deputy head teachers (45%) used the interactive style of communicating decisions while written decision communication style was least used (3.3%). The study findings also concluded that the reasons for the effectiveness of the decision communication styles used by the deputy head teachers was due to their own effectiveness and that the majority of deputy head teachers (38.3%) employed the transactional style of leadership compared to 11.7% who used the laissez faire style. The study after analysis failed to establish any strong links existed between a deputy head teacher’s personal traits and enhanced managerial practices. As a result of the study the recommendations are that a study be done to establish whether personal traits enhance a deputy head teacher’s managerial practices; that a similar study be carried out on secondary schools; and that the study be replicated in other parts of Kenya.