Obstacles of women's participation in the management of secondary schools in Nakuru District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that work against women's advancement in education management. The study was conducted utilizing a sample drawn from all the secondary schools in Nakuru District. Out of this population, twenty head teachers, 100 teachers, the District Education Officer, the District Inspector of Schools, and two representatives from the Teacher' Service Commission were purposively selected. The descriptive survey design was employed in the study, and questionnaires and interview schedules used for data collection. Data was analyzed using statistical analysis procedures. The analysis was carried out using means, percentages, standard deviations while t-test and chi-square tests was carried out at the 0.05 level of significance. The study established that there were more male than female teachers who hold leadership positions in the district, and that there were many gender-related, political and social- cultural factors that hindered women from actively participating in leadership in secondary schools. The results of the study were discussed in relation to the need of empowering women to take an active role in leadership in schools.