Influence Of Headteachers’ Competence In Resources Management On Pupils’ Academic Achievement In Marigat And Koibatek Sub-Counties, Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

The highest level of school management is highly concerned with learners‟ welfare and their academic achievement. Head teachers in high achieving schools use various means such as interpersonal relations, administrative and other managerial behaviour to achieve the schools „objectives. This study sought to investigate Influence of head teachers‟ competence in resources management on pupils‟ academic achievement in Marigat and Koibatek Sub-Counties, Baringo County, Kenya. The objectives sought to determine the extent to which head teachers‟ management of finances, learning resources, time and human resources influence on academic performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education Examination. The study adopted the system theory. The researcher adopted descriptive survey design. The target population consisted of 160 primary school head teachers, 180 standard eight teachers and 3600 standard eight pupils who were the candidates for the year 2013. The study sampled 114 head teachers, 124 standard eight class teachers and 360 standard eight pupils by employing stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) in determining the correlation and multiple regressions, then presented in tables and charts for easy interpretation and drawing conclusion. The study found low competence among majority of the head teachers in financial management such as budgeting, procurement and preparation of books of accounts, management of school learning resources, low competence in management of time for instruction and management the school human resource hence generally affecting pupils academic performance at various variances. Pupils‟ academic performance in KCPE is strongly and positively correlated with Management of school finances at a correlation coefficient of 0.571 .Management of learning resources was also positively correlated with Pupils‟ academic performance in KCPE at a coefficient of 0.682. The correlation matrix further indicates that Management of time for instruction is strongly and positively correlated with Pupils‟ academic performance in KCPE at a coefficient of 0.611. Finally, management of human resources is strongly and positively correlated with Pupils‟ academic performance in KCPE as indicated by a coefficient of 0.613. It was recommended that the head teachers should be trained on school resource management especially on financial and human resource management in order to realize pupils‟ academic performance in public primary schools. Further studies are also recommended to investigate the factors influencing teachers‟ perception of head teachers management style on school academic performance in public primary schools.