factors affecting the effectiveness of strategle planning in the public primary teachers' training colleges in kenya.
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Date
2013-02-19
Authors
ALl, MOHAMUD JAMA
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Abstract
The study examined the factors affecting the effectiveness of strategic planning in
the public primary teachers' training colleges in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought, to
establish the extent of adoption of formal strategic planning in the public primary
teachers' training colleges in Kenya, to investigate the effect of performance contracting
on strategic planning effectiveness in the public primary teachers' training colleges in
Kenya, to examine the extent to which monitoring and evaluation is a challenge to
effective strategic planning in the public primary teachers' training colleges in Kenya and
lastly, to determlne the interventions necessary to enhance strategic planning
effectiveness in the'public primary teachers' training colleges in Kenya. The study was
to benefit various stakeholders, mainly, the government planners and policy makers, the
private sector managers, donors, educational managers, the academic fraternity and the
communities. Although the public primary teachers' training colleges are important in the
education system and national development; little research has been done on the factors
affecting the effectiveness of strategic planning in these colleges. To carry out the
research, a descriptive survey design was adopted. A sample of six public primary
teacher training colleges in the Nairobi and Central Zones were selected through
purposive sampling. The population of interest was the top and middle level management
cadre of six public primary teachers' training colleges. Data collection was by means of
questionnaire and was analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency analysis.
The study found that formal strategic planning was being adopted by the public
primary teacher training colleges with ninety percent (90%) of them establishing strategic
planning teams. However, .rnost of the public primary teacher training colleges are not
able to achieve their strategies' in the envisaged time frame due to various impediments
among them, training and capaq~' constraints, scarcity of resources and ineffective
communication. The study alsoestablished that performance contracting has had visible
impact on key operational areas-in the colleges notably curriculum delivery (90%),
infrastructure and facilities development (80%), increased customer satisfaction (75%)
and has led to improved financial management (70%). Monitoring and evaluation of
strategic planning, though, was ineffective in the colleges largely due to inadequate
funding. The study determined that for effectiveness and sustainability of strategic
planning in the colleges there was need for, skills and capacity enhancement, the
development of a reward system to motivate the key achievers and implementers, and
adequate funding for the strategic planning process (80%).
The study recommended that, the development of an all-inclusive strategic planning
process that allows for the positive contributions of every player in the colleges for
effectiveness, the establishment of negotiations and conflict resolution mechanisms to
achieve consensus and minimize disruptive political influence and the adoption of
international best practices in formal strategy development in the colleges. It was also
discovered; for effective strategic planning, there is need for development of clear and
effective communication strategy, and the creation of deep linkages between the strategic
planning process, the performance contracting and departmental planning in the colleges.
The study recommended the setting aside of funds for the monitoring and evaluation of
strategic planning in the colleges and the strengthening of backstopping roles, by relevant
authorities through adoption of various measures such as capacity building programmes
tailored for the public primary teachers' training colleges.
Description
Management Science