| dc.description.abstract | The study focused on the challenges posed by adolescence to the management of secondary schools in Machakos District, Kenya. The chaIlenge was understood to encompass administrative tasks, which headteachers perform in the day-to-day running of the schools. The administrative tasks considered were: Curriculum and Instruction Pupil Personnel, Staff Personnel School community relations, Provision and Maintenance of physical facilities and Financial management. The purpose of the study was to: determine whether the administrative tasks performed by headteachers had any consideration to the adolescent needs, identify problems of the adolescents, adequately address the causes of the problems of the adolescents, and establish whether solutions are ultimately reached. The available literature suggested that the adolescent stage could easily be misinterpreted as rebellion and/or challenge to school authority. Several scholars stressed the importance of understanding the youth in school and the need to be patient with them. Adolescence stage was described as adventurous, innovative, experimental and vulnerable. Most students at secondary school level were at crossroads on their physical development as well as career choice. To a great extent that explained why there are many unrest and drug abuse in secondary schools. The study was therefore set to investigate the challenges faced by secondary school head teachers in the handling of adolescents. In addition the study investigated the causes of truancy among the students and how the head teachers handled the problems in school. The study futher established whether head teachers were prepared through workshops, seminars,in-service or training based on school management to handle adolescents. Data was gathered using one questionnaire. Part one of the questionnaire touched on personal data. Part two dealt with administrative tasks and part three was open-ended. To establish whether the instrument would collect the relevant data, a pilot study was carried out. The results from the pilot study were used in making the modifications on the instruments. The population consisted of 187 head teachers. Random sampling was used to select a sample of 60 head teachers. The return rate was 100 percent. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). Mainly descriptive and inferential analyses were done. The descriptive statistics such as frequencies and means were mainly used to summarize the huge data collected. The research revealed that most headteachers were male and that most beadteachers were at the prime of their career and were qualified to be in the position of the headteacher. Also most headteachers had training on management especially through KESI and had obtained certificate of competence. Headteacher attach high importance to the administrative tasks and perform them frequently. Adolescence was identified to be one of the causes of unrest in secondaty schools together with drug abuse, alcoholism, peer pressure and boy-girl relationships. Most headteachers indicated the need for further training on adolescence and recommended that guidance and counselling be operational in secondary schools and be nm by professionals. The research recommended a more youth friendly approach in delivery of knowledge to secondary schools. Students themselves were seen to be vital in the management of secondary schools, peer educators were recommended to be of use in surveying students problems. Further research on the management of pupil personnel and for that matter adolescents in secondary schools in urban city and ruraI setting was been pointed for the purpose of comparison and to assist in putting proper policies, goals and objectives in place. | en |
