Principals’ Factors Influencing Students’ Involvement In Administration Of Secondary School In Masaba Sub-county In Nyamira County, Kenya

Abstract

Educators, trainers, and researchers have long been interested in exploring variables contributing effectively for quality of performance of learners. The role played by education in the development of human capital is critical and its inter-linkages with the well-being and provision of opportunities for better living cannot be overlooked. The purpose of this study was to determine the principals‟ factors influencing the involvement of students in administration of secondary schools in Masaba Sub-County, Nyamira County. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design that targeted school principals‟, teachers and students in secondary schools in Masaba Sub-County, Nyamira County. In total 30 school principals and 100 teachers were sampled. While the teachers were targeted through simple random sampling, the principals were purposively sampled. Two sets of instruments were used; an interview schedule targeting the principals, a questionnaire targeting teachers and a focus group discussion that targeted the students. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The study established that the students participated in the day to day running of the school by ensuring cleanliness of the school, discipline of the fellow students, presenting the views and grievances of the students to the school administrations, planning and organization of the school programmes among others. The study further established that the principals‟ level of education has no influence on the students‟ involvement in the school administration and also established that the principals‟ experience played a very vital role in the involvement of the students in the school administration as more experienced principals tended to involve the students more than the inexperienced ones. The democratic leadership style was seen as the best leadership style for the principals for the involvement of students in school administration. It is evident that the principal plays a pivotal role in the enhancement of student involvement in school administration. Student involvement in school administration is a very vital practice not only for the school administration but also for the students, the more students are involved in school administration, the more they are likely to have positive outcomes such as cognitive gains, satisfaction and retention The study recommends that the school management should engage the students more especially in the area of decision making as it was revealed that increased involvement of students was beneficial to the school performance and individual performance. The Teachers Service Commission should start a mentorship programme in which the experienced principals will mentor the newly promoted principals on the effective running of the schools and principals should adopt inclusive leadership strategies where all the stakeholders contribute in the administration of the schools. There is need for similar studies to be undertaken to evaluate the effect of students‟ involvement in school administration on their academic performance.