A Survey of the Strategies Used by Primary School Headteachers in Handling Problems in Hamisi Division of Kakamega District, Western Province
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Date
1986
Authors
Amadalo, M. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
A survey of the strategies used by primary school headteachers
in handling problems in Hamisi Division of Kakamega District
Western Province.
The purpose. of this study was to explore the methods and
,strategies developed and used by headteachers in handling
school administrative problems, The intricacies, the schemings,
lobbyings that enable the headteacher to tackle novel problems
and keep the school afloat, CL.'1thdus provide a good education
to children entrusted to his care.
Modes of delegation; criteria of choice of whom what is
delegated to was also explored.
A group of headteachers was selected at the AID I s office and
targeted for study. A questionnaire was issued to this group
personally. This was supported by a folIow up Irrterview to try
and clarify some of the issues that were not very clear. The
findings were again collected personally as per the arrangement
prior- made with ,the respondents.
The researcher was limited by' time allocated to this study.
A period of 11 weeks did not allow enough duration for a more
elaborate study. Funds were another source of limitation. The
three thousand fixed rate that was allowed for this study was
not -even enough for the report as it is, let alone attempting a
study that could have been more elaborate and extensive. The
nature of the project too caused a further limitation. It was
expressly stated that the study was only equivalent to a three
hour paper hence it should meet that condition.
Most headteachers could not choose the right steps to be
Employed during Problem Solving process. Even for those who
could pick these steps rot the right order was not observed.
Sex and qualification did not seem to affect the strategies
developed by the headteachers to solve problems. It seemed that
experience and age of a headteacher had a lot to do with what,
steps a headteacher could take to solve an administrative problem.
All headteachers delegate to some extend, There is a
tendency to delegate only to the deputy headteacher. 'The
researcher formed the opinion that when there is delegation, all
members of the school, both teaching and non-teaching should be
involved. Each should be given a chance in an area he/she is
most suited.
Most headteachers spent a lot of time on problems they
judge as simple, but do not find enough time to deal with
those problems which are judged to be difficult.
Recommendations:
1. On-going in service courses for primary school headteachers
should be expanded and updated so as to cater for new problems
which have started to assume a much bigger magnitude than
traditional financial problems, such problems include public
relations and personnel management. These could be incorporated,
in Kenya Educational Staff Institute Programmes.
2. All teachers need to be exposed to the role of the headteacher
'during their preservice training. Great emphasis should be
placed on problem solving technique.
3. There should be created a headteacher forum at the primary Level
In which Lectures, attendances and exchanges are made by the
headmasters especially regarding problem solving technique.
This could start at local levels with identified experienced
teachers taking the initiative, but could be expanded to zonal
and even divisional levels.
4.The post of School Clerk should be made compulsory in all
primary schools, Such clerks when employed should be well versed
in accounting, finance and public relations.
Description
Master of Education (Primary Teacher Education), 99pg. 1986, LB 3013 .M8