Influence of Head Teachers’ Management Role on Learners’ Academic Performance in Public Primary Schools in Kisauni Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

For the last five years (2013-2017) most of the public primary schools in Kisauni Sub County had an average of 72.77 percent of candidates who scored below 250 marks with the exception of two public primary schools; Ziwa la Ng’ombe and Kengeleni. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of head teachers’ management roles on learners’ academic performance in public primary schools. The objectives of the study were to: determine the influence of head teachers’ teacher management role, investigate the head teachers’ student management role, and lastly examine the influence of head teachers’ resource management role on learners’ academic performance. The limiting factor was some of the respondents did not honor the appointment time. The study assumed that effective head teachers management role on teachers, student, and resources enhances learners’ academic performance. The literature review informs us the influence of head teachers’ management role in learners ‘academic performance. Descriptive research design was used. The study targeted 25 head teachers, 35 deputy head teachers and 25 public primary schools while the sample size was 20 head teachers and 20 deputy head teachers. The 20 head teachers and 10 deputy head teachers were sampled through purposive sampling. The other10 deputies were from schools with two deputies hence sampled through convenience sampling. Eighteen schools were sampled using simple random sampling while two additional schools; Ziwa la Ng’ombe and Kengeleni were purposively sampled due to their good performance. Questionnaires were used to collect data. The five remaining schools not involved in the study were used for piloting. Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient was more than 0.70 hence justified the tool for use.Validity of the tool was established by engaging the two supervisors on the relevance of the questions to the study.Statistical package for social sciences version 23 was used to generate data collected analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics techniques. Data was presented in form of frequency tables and graphs. Consent from respondents and confidentiality was assured. Study findings revealed that majority of the head teachers consulted during selection of teachers to manage class eight, coordinated and controlled teaching outcomes through team work, check professional records and observed lessons, motivated the teachers and rewarded the students, however inadequate Syllabus coverage, absenteeism of teachers and non-attendance to lessons was noted. The study concluded that head teacher’s management role has positive influence on learner’s academic performance in public primary schools in Kisauni Sub County. Again, student management and resource management by school head teachers in public primary schools are key determinants of the learner’s academic performance. The researcher recommends that subject allocation of teachers should be strictly based on teachers’ performance (subject mastery) and ability to handle the class, BOM to be practically involved in the management of resources for transparency and accountability and head teachers to enhance teacher supervision in public primary schools. The study suggested that further research to be carried out on the influence of BOM in the management, the influence of seniority based system of progression on teacher career mobility and on influence of head teachers’ management role on learners’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Kisauni Sub County.