Influence Of Board Of Managements’ Governance Practices On Implementation Of Safety Standards Policy In Secondary Schools In Homa-bay Sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, secondary school boards of management (BOMs) have an oversight governance mandate on implementation of safety standards policy. However, persistent recurrence of safety threats in schools calls for questioning the capacity of managements to discharge this function effectively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Board of Managements’ (BOMs’) governance practices influencing implementation of safety standards policy in secondary schools in Homa-Bay Sub-County, Kenya. Four objectives guided the study; to determine the extent to which BOMs’ operationalization of safety standards policy; execution of school budget; maintenance of institutional infrastructure; and enforcement of school rules and regulations, influenced implementation of safety standards policy. The study was guided by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory (1943). The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The study targeted BOM members, teachers,and students in 23 public secondary schools, as well as Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) and Sub-County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (SCQASO). The sample size was 370 comprising of 1 SCDE, 1 SCQASO, 184 BOM members, 69 teachers and 115 students. Data collection tools were questionnaires and interview schedule. Instrument validity was assured through seeking expert opinion of university supervisors. Instrument reliability was determined through test-retest method. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of quantitative and qualitative data and results presented in frequencies and percentages. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Key findings of the study were; BOMs’ operationalization of safety standards policy was determined by availability of legal and policy documents, formation of safety committees and training on safety; BOMs’ execution of budget depended on availability of adequate funds and adherence to guidelines on financial transactions; BOMs’ infrastructure maintenance was influenced by scheduled repairs and cleanliness; and BOMs’ enforcement of school rules and regulations was dependent on issuance of school rules and and provision of guidance and counseling to students. Key conclusions of the study were; operationalization of safety standards policy; execution of budget; maintenance of physical infrastructure and enforcement of rules and regulations had a significant influence on implementation of safety standards policy in Homa-Bay Subcounty secondary schools. Key recommendations were; BOMs avail safety legal and policy documents, form safety committees, mount trainings on safety; source for adequate funds,enforce guidelines on financial transactions; issue school rules and regulations; and facilitate guidance and counseling, in order to implement safety standards policy in secondary schools in Homa-Bay Sub-County.