Extent of Student Participation in Management of School Finances and Physical Resources in Secondary Schools in Tharaka-nithi and Nairobi counties, Kenya
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Date
2019-02
Authors
Alexander, Kagendo Dinah
Onyango, George
y Kyalo, Doroth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IRJBP Journal of Education and Practices
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
management of school finances and physical resources in secondary schools. The study employed mixed method
design, specifically triangulation method. The study targeted 214 public secondary schools, 214 head teachers,
2433 teachers, 81582 students and 13 Sub-county Directors of Education (SCDE) in Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi
Counties. 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. The instruments were submitted to experts iteratively for consideration and their
suggestions on different items and sections used to refine them and increase validity.Cronbach's alpha was used
to establish the reliability of the instruments. Cronbach's alpha was 0.923 for head teachers and teachers’
questionnaire and 0.900 for students’ questionnaire, which indicated a high level of internal consistency. The
closer the alpha is to one (1), the higher the level of consistency. Quantitative data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was organized into themes and presented using descriptions and
quotations. The study found that the extent of student participation in decisions relating to school budgets,
school fees and planning and development of physical facilities were of low levels indicating reluctance by the
school administration to involve students in the critical decision-making areas in secondary school
management. The study therefore recommends that the Ministry of Education should provide a policy on student
representation in the Parents’ Associations, staff meetings and any other important committees in schools so
that they can participate in decisions made there.
Description
A Research Article in IRJBP Journal of Education and Practices
Keywords
Student Participation,, Management, School finances, Physical Resources, Secondary School
Citation
Kagendo, Dinah A; Onyango, G.; Kyalo, D (2019) Extent of Student participation in Management of School Finances and Physical Resources in Secondary Schools in Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi Counties, Kenya. IRJBP Journal of Education and Practices; Vol.2 Issue No.9; Feb 2019.