Abstract:
This study sought to investigate the influence of principals’ characteristics on implementation of readmission policy of girls after teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Kitui County,
Kenya. The study objectives sought to determine the influence of; principals’ age, gender,
experience and professional qualifications on the implementation of re-admission policy of girls
after teenage pregnancy. The target population was 275 principals, 275 guidance and counseling
teachers and 275 head girls in the 120 girls’ schools and 155 co-education schools in Kitui County,
Kenya. The study also targeted the County Director of Education and all the 16 sub county directors
of education in Kitui County. Using stratified and simple random sampling, a sample of 83
principals, 83 guidance and counseling, and 83 head girls were selected for the study. The County
Director of Education was purposively selected while four sub-county directors of Education were
selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires. Quantitative data
was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analyzed
thematically. The study established that; there was statistically significant association between
principals’ characteristics and re-admission policy. The principals’ age, gender, experience and
professional qualification significantly determined the implementation of the re-admission policy of
girls after teenage pregnancy. The study recommends that; principals should get the right professional training and experience before they could be appointed to take up roles of heading
public schools. This would enhance the implementation of the re-admission policy of girls after
teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Kitui County, Kenya.
