| dc.description.abstract | The BOG is the public secondary school management body that derives its
authority from the Education Act Chapter 21 I of the Laws of Kenya of 1968
(Republic of Kenya, 1980).- The BOGs in their management have reportedly
exhibited the following traits: lack of democracy; lack of commitment; leaving their
managerial duties to the principals; having vested interest in the schools: dictating
and instructing principals what to do without basing their decisions and instruct ions
on the actual information on the school and lack of financial accountability.
Investigation was therefore carried out on characteristics of individual BOG
members; the principals' relationship with BOG members and the politics ill the
school environment in order to establish whether these factors do inhibit BOG
management of public secondary schools. The study further sought to test whet her
there was any significant differences between the following four independent
variables: educational attainment; managerial experience; interest groups represented
by BOG members; location of school and the aforementioned factors.
Review of Related Literature
The review of related literature was organised under the following subheadings
characteristics of individual BOG members; the principals' relat ionship
with 130G members, and the politics in the school environment. A layout of the
conceptual framework of factors inhibiting BOGs' management of public secondary
schools was derived from the review of related literature.
Research Methodology
The study was ex post facto in design. The target population was that of
BOG members of public secondary schools in both Kapsaret and Kesses Divisions of
Uasin-Gishu District. One questionnaire was developed as the research instrument.
This questionnaire was translated into Swahili in the form of an interview schedule
to facilitate communication with BOG members who could not effectively
communicate in English. The questionnaire consisted of three parts.
The instrument was validated by lecturers who are experts III the area or
educational administration. The analysis of the pilot study revealed that the
instrument had a reliability coefficient of 0.60. After collection of data the
questionnaire return rate was 956 per cent
Data analysis was executed by the use of the two-tailed t-test; One -Wav
Analysis of Variance; frequency distribution and percentages. The level of
significance was set at 0.05. Six null hypotheses were tested.
Research Findings
The following are the research findings of the study:
I. The research findings showed that the characteristics of individual BOG
members; the principal's relationship with BOG members and the politics in the
school environment inhibited their management of public secondary schools to such
an extent that rendered the management to the state or being only a bit effect ive. The
way the principal carried out BOG decisions was a characteristic that did not,
however, inhibit BOG management of public secondary schools
However, the findings also showed that the extent of ambition for political
leadership among BOG members was a political factor that inhibited BOG
management of the schools to such an extent that rendered the management
ineffective The findings further showed that the funct ional relationship bet ween the
BOG and PTA over collection of funds for schools development was a political
factor that did not inhibit BOG management of public secondary schools.
2. The hypothesis testing for significant difference between the BOG members
educational attainment and the factors inhibiting their management of public
secondary schools, in the factor of characteristics of individual BOG members
showed that there was significant difference. The significant difference was because
of differences in educational attainment.
3. Hypothesis testing rer significant difference between BOG members' managerial
experience and the factors inhibiting their management of public secondary schools,
in the factor of the politics in the school environment showed that there was no
significant difference. It can be concluded that there is likelihood that conflicts due
to novel problems; BOG - PT A functional relationships; competition for control of
decision - making by members belonging to different political groups and,
negligence of responsibility by those members with self interest and group interests
that are political in nature, affected the effectiveness of BOG management of the
schools. and were therefore also likely to have affected the effectiveness of [30G
management of the schools to the same extent.
4 The hypothesis testing for significant difference between BOG members
representing different interest groups and the factors inhibiting their management of
public secondary schools, in the factor of the principals' relationship with BOG
members, showed that there was no significant difference It can be concluded that
the similarity in the assessment of the effect of the principals' relationship with BOG
members on the effectiveness of BOG management of public secondary schools. by
BOG members representing various interest groups, is likely to be due the similarity
in the ways the principals administer their schools, interact with the personnel and
the similar manner in which BOG members relate both to one another and to the
principals. in similar educational environments The group providing specialised
services differed with the rest in their assessment
5. The hypothesis: testing for significant difference between the schools'
geographical location (urban or rural) and the factors inhibiting BOG management of
public secondary schools, in the factor of characteristics of individual nOG
members. showed that there was significant difference. Significant difference is
recorded probably since urban and rural locations differ in the quality and
availability of facilities necessary for facilitating BOG members' attendance of BOC;
meetings and difference in managerial experience
6. No significant difference existed between the schools' geographical location and
the factors inhibiting BOG management of public secondary schools, in the factor of
the principals' relationship with 130G members It can be concluded that the
principals' relationship with BOG members is likely to have affected the
effectiveness of BOG management of public secondary schools, in the two locations.
to the same extent, due to similarity in the ways the principals administer their
schools, interact with personnel and the similar manner in which BOG members
relate both to one another and to the principals, in similar educational environments
7. The hypothesis testing for significant difference between the schools'
geographical location (urban or rural) and the factors inhibiting BOG management of
public secondary schools, in the factor of the politics in the school environment
showed that there was no significant difference. It can be concluded that conflicts
due to novel problems; BOG-PTA functional relationship; competition for control of
decision -making by members belonging to different political groups and,
negligence of responsibility by those members with self interest and group interests
that are political, in riature, are likely to have affected the effectiveness of BOG
management of the s=Chools, and done so to the same extent in both urban and rural
locations.
8 The research findings showed that of the problems observed by BOG members in
their Boards, the most widespread were political interference (100%) and lack of
requisite academic qualifications and professional training among BOG members
(802%)
9 Research findings showed that of the solutions suggested by BOG members to the
problems they observed in their school Boards the ones suggested by most were that
secondary school management be depoliticised (100%) and that private auditors
should audit public secondary school finances (72.7%).
Recommendations
The following recommendations are made from the findings and conclusions
of the study
1. It is recommended that BOG members be encouraged to attend DOG meetings by
being informed of the meetings in time, including information 011 the agenda to be
deliberated upon.
2. It is recommended that individuals to be appointed as BOG members should have
high educational attainment; be trained in management, demonstrate the will to
perform the task, and that there be regular in servicing of the members.
:I. It is recommended that ROG management of the schools be executed
democrat ically.
4. It is recommended that principals furnish the DOG with accurate information Oil
the schools
5. It is recommended that school finances be frequently audited, at short notice. /1\'
auditors from various government ministries, and that reputable private auditors he
engaged to audit notoriously errant schools.
Suggestions for Further Rcs{,:1I"Ch
To add more to the area of governance of schools by 110<.)S the follcl\villg
areas of research were suggested for further research
I. A study be conducted on the management practices of private secondary schools'
Boards
2 A study be conducted on the factors inhibiting the ill-servicing or BOC; members
of public secondary schools.
J. A study he conducted 011 how management information. received from \';mOIIS
sources by education offices, on school Boards. are put to use ,]t the district.
provincial and national levels. | en |
