Institutional Factors Influencing Implementation of Performance Contracts in Public Primary Schools in Isinya Sub-county, Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract

The movement towards accountability in the education sector has resulted in creation of many innovations, performance contracting notwithstanding. The purpose of this study was to investigate the institutional factors influencing implementation of performance contracts in Isinya Sub-County of Kajiado County. Objectives of the study were to determine the influence of; adequacy of financial resources, teacher-pupil ratio, level of target setting as well assessing how head teachers’ clarity of communication influence on implementation of performance contracts. The study adopted contract theory proposed by Hart and Holmstrom(1985). The study used a descriptive survey research design where the target population comprised of 314 teachers and 31 head teachers of public primary schools in Isinya Sub County. Simple random sampling was adopted to select 15 head teachers and 157 teachers. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and mean while data was presented using tables, pie charts and bar graphs. From the study it was established that; adequate financial resources had significant effect on implementation of performance contracts, teacher pupil ratio had no significant effect on implementation of performance contracts, target setting on professionalism, learners protection, innovativeness and creativity had significant effect on implementation of performance contracts and clarity of policy guidelines on setting targets, timeliness in targets implementation and feedback on performance redress had significant effect on implementation of performance contracts. From the study, it was concluded that; the public primary schools in the study area did not have adequate financial resources, there was acute shortage of teachers in the study area and head teachers did not communicate frequently to teachers on information pertaining to performance contracting. This study recommends that: Head teachers, school committees and parents should be organized to raise funds for building and equipping libraries and for provision of suitable learning facilities. The government should provide more teachers to understaffed schools in order to minimize the teaching workload Also, there should be more consultation between the administration of schools and teachers in the setting up of the performance targets and head teachers should communicate to the staff precisely, clearly and accurately in order to achieve positive results.