Demographic factors influencing Board of management in efficient management of human resources in public primary schools in Kathiani District, Kenya

Abstract

Human resources refer to people in an organization either skilled, semi skilled or unskilled that helps in achieving the organizational pre-determined goals and objectives. Despite the heavy investment that the government of Kenya (GoK) has put in primary schools, the training and coordination of human resources to enhance pupils’ performance remains questionable. The contribution of efficient of human resource management practices and pupils’ academic performance has not been well investigated. The study sought to investigate to demographic factors influencing board of management in efficient management of human resources in public primary schools in Kathiani District of Machakos County. The four research objectives were formulated to guide the study. Specifically the sought to determine how gender of BOM Members influence efficient management of human resources in public primary schools, to assess how age of BOM members influences efficiency management of human resources in public primary schools, to determine how academic qualifications of BOM members influence human resource management in public primary schools and to establish how administrative experience of BOM influence efficiency management of human resources in public primary schools. The study used descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised 71 public primary schools. The probability and non-probability sampling design were used to select the sample size of 21 schools, 21 headteachers, 42 chairpersons and treasurers of BOM members, 21 support staff and teachers in 21 sampled schools. The research instruments that were used in the study were questionnaires and interview schedules. Data was collected using questionnaires designed for headteachers, BOM members and teachers while interview schedule for support staff. A pre-testing of research instruments was done in three schools that part of target population but were not among the sample size. Test-retest technique of measuring reliability was used to determine the reliability of research instruments. Descriptive statistics using frequency counts and percentages was used to analyze the data which is presented using tables, graphs and circle graphs. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) technique version 17.0 for windows and use of descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data. Based on the objective the following were findings of the study, headtechers use teamwork in their management of human resources. The BOM members were involved in human resource management such as hiring of support staff and Parent Association teachers, pupils discipline and motivation of both pupils and teachers. The policy guidelines were available in schools and most of the BOM members had read them. Based on the recommendation the government, Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders needs to improve policy in human resource governance in the schools, and finance in-service training of the BOM to offer better oversight on the management of human resource outside school routine.