Influence of strategic management practices on performance of mathematics in public secondary schools in Makueni sub-county

Abstract

Strategic management is a concept that is concerned with making decisions and taking corrective actions to achieve long term targets, objectives and goals of an organization. Firms obtain a sustained competitive advantage through exploiting internal strength, by responding to environmental opportunities while neutralizing external threats and avoiding internal weaknesses. This study was entitled, “Influence of Strategic Management Practices on Performance of Mathematics in Public Secondary Schools in Makueni Sub-County.” The main objective in this study was to establish the influence of strategic management practices on the learners’ academic achievement in Mathematics in government high schools in Makueni Sub-County. This study was directed by four objectives; to determine the influence of; training, team teaching, teaching experience of Mathematics’ tutors and that of ICT integration in teaching Mathematics on the learners’ academic achievement in Mathematics in PSS in Makueni Sub-County. The study was guided by four theories which include contingency theory, learning theories, diffusion of information theory and human resource based theory. The empirical review conducted revealed that the tutors’ training level, team-teaching, teachers’ experience and ICT integration in teaching have a direct impact on the student’s performance in Mathematics. This study employed a descriptive survey research approach. The study target population consisted of the 46 registered government high schools in Makueni Sub-County. The study used two types of sampling; census on the school principals while 30% of the Mathematics teachers from every school were randomly selected to form a sample of 118 study participants. Data collection was conducted through the administration of questionnaires. The data was processed by use of descriptive and inferential figures with the help of statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) version 21, discussed as per the objectives and presented in tables as per the study objectives. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis indicated that performance in Mathematics was positively influenced by the four objectives. The results of this research concurred with the literature reviewed. The study concluded that team teaching was the main predictor of the learners’ academic achievement in Mathematics. This study recommended that the school administrators as well as the other stakeholders in secondary schools in Makueni Sub-County should embrace team work, teacher training, ICT integration and opportunities where they can diversify their experience as teachers for students’ optimum performance in their respective secondary schools.