Strategy formulation process in Public Secondary Schools in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Strategic plans are important for all organisations. The process of strategic management formulation is one that has been examined by various scholars as it is usually different from one institution to another and is riddled with several challenges too. The study adopted a descriptive cross sectional survey research design. There were 147 secondary schools in Embu County. A sample size of 60 schools was selected for the study and 54 responded to the survey. Primary data was collected through the administration of a structured questionnaire. The questionnaires were issued to the Principals and/or the Deputy Principals in secondary schools since these were the most involved individuals in the process of strategy formulation and implementation. The researcher administered the questionnaires through the use of drop and pick later method. SPSS version 22 was used to conduct descriptive, correlation and regression analysis. The study found there is no uniform composition of stakeholders involved in strategy formulation in secondary schools in Embu. In most of the cases, there was a mixture of participants drawn from different stakeholder groups. The study found that the deputy principals, the principals, BOG members and experts are the main participants involved in the strategy formulation process, with other stakeholder groups getting involved to only a moderate and less extent. The study found that activities such as analysis of adequacy of staff members; analysis of leadership skills and abilities; resource analysis, needs assessment and problem analysis the main activities carried out in the strategy formulation process for secondary schools in Embu County. The key steps followed in the formulation process involves activities such as setting organisational objectives; performance analysis; setting quantitative targets and choice of strategy and designing aims that are in context with divisional plans. The study also found that most of the participants in the strategy formulation process face very many challenges which mainly included lack finances and lack experts and skills. The study concludes that there is no uniform composition of stakeholders involved in strategy formulation in secondary schools in Embu, with most participants being drawn from different stakeholder groups. Participation in the strategy formulation process was by many stakeholders including teachers, BOG, students and parents. The study concludes that key steps followed in the strategy formulation process for secondary schools in Embu County include activities such as setting organisational objectives; performance analysis; setting quantitative targets and choice of strategy and designing aims that are in context with divisional plans. The major challenges however are lack finances and lack experts and skills. The study recommends that the strategy formulation process in secondary schools should have a structured form of strategy formulation, with defined participants drawn from all stakeholder groups which include, teachers; parents; PTA, BOG; community based organisations, government representatives and local authorities. The study recommends that secondary schools should identify all challenges facing their operations and formulate actionable plans to address all these challenges with an aim of reducing their negative effect on the school’s performance.