Factors influencing principals’ performance of administrative duties in public day secondary schools in Mwingi East sub - county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing principals’ performance of administrative duties in public day secondary schools in Mwingi East Sub -County, Kitui County, Kenya. Four research objectives guided the study. The objectives sought to establish the influence of finances, human resources, infrastructure and community around the school on principals’ performance of administrative duties in public day secondary schools in Mwingi East Sub -County. The study adopted descriptive research survey design. The target population was 20 principals. The sample size was 20 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that funds were not available. There was delay in disbursement. School did not have adequate facilities due to inadequate funds. Parents were not consistent in paying the required levies. It was also revealed that schools did not have adequate teachers and other support staff which hindered the running of the school. It was also revealed that school did not have adequate classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, text books and stationery and chairs and desks for students. It was lastly revealed that parents were not able to support the school financially and that the schools did not receive adequate support from the community. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher concluded that finances influenced principals’ performance of administrative duties. Financial factors such as inadequate finances, delay in disbursement of funds, inadequate facilities due to inadequate funds, parents’ poor payment of fees affected the principals in the running of schools. When the principals do not have the finances, they are not able to run the schools effectively. The study also concluded that the principals were not in a position to hire enough staff, both the teaching and non -teaching. It was also difficult for the schools to get staff. Inadequate of human resource is a hindrance to principal’s performance of administrative tasks. The study also concluded that infrastructure influenced principals’ performance of administrative duties. Inadequate physical resources which include laboratories, libraries, classrooms and a host of other physical infrastructure and material resources that include textbooks, charts, maps among others affecting the running of schools by the principals affect how the principals run schools. The inadequacy of the resources affected principals’ performance of administrative duties. The study further concluded that the community around the school affect principals’ performance of administrative duties. The study recommended that the government should avail adequate funds in time for the running of schools. The Ministry of Education in conjunction with the TSC should avail adequate funds for recruitment and selection of staff. The school administrators to take up the responsibility of creating a mutual understanding and partnership between schools and the community which would help teachers, parents and all community members to identify areas in which they can work together for the benefit of the students. The researcher suggested that a study on how principals’ involvement of BOM in school management affects their performance of their administrative duties should be conducted. It was also suggested that a study on how principals’ involvement of teachers in school management affects their performance of their administrative tasks should be conducted. Lastly a study on how principals’ personal characteristics influence performance of administrative tasks should be conducted.