An analysis of factors influencing delegation in schools and their impact on teacher performance : a case of Secondary Schools in Ekerenyo Division, Nyamira District

Abstract

The study was to find out factors influencing delegation in schools in Ekerenyo Division, Nyamira District. Despite the critical importance of delegation of authority it tended to receive relatively little attention in management literature and training. Managers spend too much time on their historical specialism instead of delegating to reduce workload, motivate Juniors and push authority to the point of action, as Rees (1991) argues. Recently delegation of authority is gaining recognition in Kenya and the world over, but still there is reluctance from Kenyan managers to delegate effectively. The philosophy behind delegation of authority is that it is a means whereby a manager can, having decided his or her pridrities, concentrate on the work of greatest importance to be done by others according to Haldoryd (1970). The study was based in schools in Ekerenyo Division, Nyamira District which had 21 schools of which all were purposively selected for the study and within each school, teachers were randomly selected for the study. The study was guided by three specific objectives. It sought to identify factors influencing delegation of authority through four research questions covering issues like the steps taken to practice delegation, views of teachers on delegation and the impact on teacher performance. The study made use of both primary and secondary data, which highlighted the gap to be filled. Two different types of questionnaires were used to guide the research's data collection. Data from head teachers, HODs and Assistant teachers was obtained and analyzed, so as to get full information on how authority is delegated within schools. Use of a cross sectional analytical study and both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used. Descriptive statistics was to analyze quantitative data with the help of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Computer Software Package. The results were presented by use of percentages and tables from which conclusions were drawn on factors influencing delegation and their impact on performance of teachers. This research though academic provided linkages of academic knowledge and the practical management problems at the grassroots, which are more often overlooked by schools thus creating gaps in the country's provision of services to the citizens due to ineffective delegation of authority.