Influence of deputy headteachers' professional preparation on performance of their administrative tasks in public secondary schools, Bomet District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of deputy Headteachers professional preparation on performance of administrative tasks in public secondary schools in Bomet district, Kenya. The objectives of the study were, To identify the deputy's headteacher critical training needs of the administration task areas. To establish the deputy headteachers' training needs in administration as perceived by secondary school headteachers in Bomet district. To determine the usefulness of deputy headteachers training in administration tasks in Bomet distric and To determine the influence of deputy headteachers' age, gender, academic qualifications and administrative experience on their administration training needs.

The study employed descriptive survey and the System theory was used to guide the study. The sample size contained 54 deputies and 54 principals. Data was collected by use of questionnaires. The data was analysed statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software to generate frequencies and percentages The areas that the headteachers deemed very important for deputy headteachers in-service training included maintaining student discipline (86%) effective communication, time management (85.2%), supervision and inspection (79.6), drawing school daily routine, team building(83.3%).

These findings indicated that headteachers perceived that their deputy headteachers required in-service training to carry out their administration tasks effectively. The findings further showed that (78.0%) of deputy headteachers had not attended any in-serve course and that they required training in various areas in relation to their administrative tasks. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that professional preparation is essential for the deputy headteachers to carry out their administration tasks effectively. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the government through KEMI orKESI should initiate training for deputy headteachers for effective performance of their administrative tasks.

It was also recommended that deputy Headteacher should be trained in the areas of basic principles of education management, student personnel and staff personnel. The study further recommended that deputy headteachers should also be trained in the area of financial administration. There while the Ministry of Education should also out up strategies to have deputy headteachers get formal pre-service training so that they can carry their duties effectively. The study suggested that a study on the relationship between training in administrative tasks and students' performance should be conducted.

It was also suggested that a study on the training needs of the headteachers in relation to performance of administrative roles should be conducted. An investigation on the attitudes of the teachers and headteachers towards training by KEMI or KESI should be carried out while a study on influence of deputy headteachers' personal characteristics on performance of administrative roles should be conducted.