Extent of Student Participation in Decision Making in Secondary School Management in Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi Counties, Kenya
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Date
2019
Authors
Kagendo, Dinah Alexander
Onyango, George
Kyalo, Dorothy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Open Access Publishing Group
Abstract
The recurrent student indiscipline in form of unrests in secondary schools and their
incessant desire to destroy school property probably reflects the feeling of alienation
rather than of ownership of the schools, they attend. By striking and destroying
property, the students may be expressing their demands for involvement in the running
of the schools. The objective of the study was to determine the extent to which students
participate in decision making in secondary school management. The study employed
mixed method design, specifically triangulation method. Stratified random sampling,
simple random sampling and purposive sampling were used in drawing the samples.
The Krejcie and Morgan’s table for determining large sample size was used to
determine the sample size of students. The sample consisted of 38 secondary schools, 38
head teachers, 293 teachers, 753 students, 72 student leaders and 3 SCDE. Data
collection instruments included questionnaires, interview guides and Focus Group
Discussion (FGD) guide. Content validity was determined by seeking expert judgement
from educational management. Cronbach's alpha was used to establish the reliability of
the instruments. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Qualitative data were organized into themes and presented using descriptions and
quotations. The study found that there were low levels of student participation in
decision making, low levels of students’ representation in Boards of Management
(BOM) and Parents’ Association, respectively. The findings further revealed low levels
of involvement of students’ representatives in staff meetings. The study therefore
recommends that secondary school managements should actively involve students in
all areas of decision-making in school with particular emphasis on decisions relating to
the foregoing decision-making areas.
Description
A research article published in European Journal of Education Studies
Keywords
Student participation, Decision making, Secondary school, Management, Extent
Citation
Dinah, A. K., Onyango, G., & Kyalo, D. (2019). EXTENT OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING IN SECONDARY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT IN THARAKA-NITHI AND NAIROBI COUNTIES, KENYA. European Journal of Education Studies.