Institutional Factors Influencing Implementation of Strategic Plans in Public Secondary Schools in Dagoretti South Sub County, Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing implementation of strategic plans in public secondary schools in Dagoretti South Sub-County in Nairobi City County, specifically assessing influence of timely allocation of resources by school management board, incentives given to teachers, involvement of stakeholders in implementing the strategic plans, and monitoring and evaluation of the implementation process by the school managers. The objectives of this study were supported by synoptic theory. The study adopted descriptive research design using both the qualitative and quantitative approach. The target population was 291 comprising of 273teachers, 9 principals and 9 chairpersons of board. A sample size of 90 teachers, 8 principals and 8 chairpersons of boards of management respondents was drawn using stratified random sampling. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The collected data were edited and analysed using SPSS Stata14. Descriptive statistics were used to describe both dependent and independent variable. Using a t-test, a mean difference of 0.58 on resource allocation, which was statistically different from 0.05 was realized. This implies that, resource allocation was on average significantly higher in schools where implementation takes place within the expected time frame. Thus, resource allocation has a significant influence of implementation of strategic plans. With regards to teacher incentives a computed mean difference of 0.09, which was not statistically different from 0.05 was established, indicating, teacher incentives was on average the same irrespective of whether the schools carried out the implementation within the expected time frame or not. Thus, teacher incentives have no significant influence on implementation of strategic plans. For stakeholder involvement, a mean difference of 0.27 was statistically different from 0.05 was deduced. This implies that, stakeholder involvement was on average significantly higher in schools where implementation takes place within the expected time frame. Thus, stakeholder involvement has a significant influence of implementation of strategic plans. A computed mean difference of 0.62 for monitoring and evaluation was not statistically different from 0.05. This implies that, monitoring and evaluation was on average the same irrespective of whether the schools carried out the implementation within the expected time frame or not. Thus, monitoring and evaluation has no significant influence on implementation of strategic plans. The study recommends the government, government agencies, financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations and well wishers need to finance and allocate enough resources the implementation; the BoM and PA should be committed and fully take charge especially when it comes to mobilization of funds; and close monitoring, follow up and periodic review to all stakeholders and providing a realistic time frame for implementation.