Influence of board of managements’ contribution to development of public secondary schools in Nyamira north district, Nyamira county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of board of managements’ contribution in development of public secondary schools. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent to which BOM members’ involvement in decision making process has enhanced the management of secondary schools, establish to what extent the BOMs’ participates in the recruitment of staff has enhanced secondary school teacher motivation and to establish how the provision of physical facilities by BOM had improved the learning conditions in secondary schools in Nyamira North district. The study used descriptive survey design in which it targeted 22 headteachers and 308 BOMs in Nyamira North district. The study used both purposive and simple random sampling methods to select 22 headteachers and 154 BOMs. Out of which 176 comprising of 154 BOMs and 22 headteachers responded by either completing the questionnaire and returning. The data was collected by use of both questionnaires and interview schedules. Prior to data collection, research instruments were piloted for validity and reliability test. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study established that the BOMs were involved in the decision making in matters to do with management of the school. However, it was believed that their level of education influenced their participation. Due to their participation in the decision making in the school, the management has been enhanced. The study also established that the BOMs were to a large extent involved in the provision of physical facilities in the school and this has improved the learning conditions in the schools. The BOMs are involved in the recruitment of the staff which has enhanced the motivation of the teachers. The BOMs also supervised and monitored the physical projects in the school which resulted into better management of the school resources. The study recommended that government should give more responsibility to the BOMs so that they become the oversight body that oversees the decision making in the schools for effective management, government should provide the BOMs with training so that they are equipped with the recruitment and selection of the staff to ensure that the schools attract only the best talents, the BOMs should device means by which they will be able to find resources to provide physical facilities for the smooth and conducive learning environment and finally, the BOMs should provided with the supervision skills so as to ensure that the school does not incur losses during the construction and maintenance of the physical projects in the school.