The actual and expected role of the head of department as percieved by headteachers and secondary schools heads of departments in Kakamega East District, Kenya
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Date
2011-08-09
Authors
Nyang'au, Atebe Isaac
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Abstract
Secondary heads of department occupy a crucial position, as `linking pins' between their departments and the upper executive of the school. The middle executive in schools are finding their current responsibilities onerous, and at times contradictory, with the holders of these positions experiencing various facets of role conflict, role ambiguity and role overload. In Kenya, the decentralization of education services through the civil service reform programme, HODs are increasingly expected to take up new roles and responsibilities. For instance, they are now required to sit on teacher recruitment and teacher disciplinary panels. The policy decision has vested HODS with additional administrative and financial responsibilities. However, HODS have not been prepared or trained to equip them with the necessary skills to handle the added responsibilities and management challenges arising from these changes. This has resulted in role ambiguities, role conflicts, tension and sometimes stress. This study aimed at exploring how HODs are currently performing and in turn, being influenced by their roles within the changing educational circumstances. The study investigated reasons for seeking the position of HOD and preparation for assuming the role. The HODS were asked about the elements of their work both actual and expected. Origins and influences on personal leadership style, level of involvement in whole school decision-making and professional development needs of the HOD were also explored. The design of the study was 'ex-post facto' because the cause and effect relationships that were to be studied were not amenable to experimental manipulation. The study location was Kakamega East district in Western Province, which has 28 public secondary schools with 28 duly appointed secondary head teachers and 84 appointed heads of department. A pilot study involving two principals and six HODS was carried out in two randomly selected schools. Fifty one HODS and seven Head teachers took part in the study. It was expected, that on analysis of generated data the findings may help in re-engineering the role of the secondary HODs so as to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in the changing education scenario within Kakamega East district and Kenyan secondary schools in general. The main findings of the study were; HODS play a crucial role in Curriculum development and implementation, financial, human and instructional resource management; financial management, guidance and counseling are not their expected roles. Preparation of HODS mainly involved induction on communication and information technology skills, with professional training and consultative meetings being held as need arose. Head teachers perceptions were that HODs should take a more active role in management of the school. Conclusions of the study included the fact that HODS mainly aspire to the position because of the desire for leadership, service to the community and professional growth. The HODS suffer from role overloads; with most of their roles conflicting with those performed by class teachers, subject heads and head teachers. Regular professional courses, seminars and workshops need to be organized in order to equip the HODS with appropriate knowledge and skills for effective performance of their duties and responsibilities. Policy recommendations were that HODs be professionally qualified with post graduate qualifications in educational administration, KESI to institute mandatory training for those aspiring to the position of HODs or head teachers; TSC should come up with a scheme of service for HODS with post graduate qualifications
Description
Department of Educational Management Policy & Curriculum Studies, 102p. The LC 2831.876 .K4A8 2010
Keywords
School administrators --Kenya, School management and organization --Kenya, Education, Secondary --Kenya