Board of managements’ governance practices influencing retention of orphans and vulnerable children in Primary Schools in Khwisero Sub – county, Kenya

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the Board of Management governance practices influencing retention of orphans and vulnerable children in primary schools in Khwisero sub county, Kenya. The study objectives were to assess the extent of resources mobilization, tracking of academic performance, monitoring of teaching, learning activities and monitoring of pupils disciplines and their influence on retention of OVCs in Khwisero Sub County. The study was guided by system theory propounded by Ludwing Von Bertullaffy (1973) that focuses on system analysis perspective in an organization. Descriptive survey design was employed through administration of questionnaires and interviewing the respondents. The target population comprised of all 58 public primary schools, 58 head teachers, 546 teachers and 2846 standard eight pupils in Khwisero Sub County. The study sample was 34 head teachers, 54 teachers and 285 standard eight pupils, totaling to 373 respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) versions 21. It was established that mobilization of resources by the BOM had the strongest relationship on retention of the OVCs in the schools, followed by tracking of academic performance, monitoring of teaching and learning activities and finally monitoring of pupils discipline. Therefore the study recommended that the Board of Management should mobilize enough resources from various sources including fund raising to ensure they are adequate to support the welfare of orphans and vulnerable children in primary schools. The BOM should also emphasize on ensuring that there are effective mechanisms of tracking academic performance of the OVCs in public primary schools. Practicing primary teachers should be in-serviced with the Ministry of Education, to equip them with necessary skill, to be able to handle the changing trends on orphans and vulnerable children. The Board of Management should also create conducive environment for both teachers and pupils to enhance the retention of OVCs in schools.