Teachers' perception on decentralization of TSC functions in Kenya: a case of Dagoreti District, Kenya
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Date
2012-04-02
Authors
Adoyo, Phelesia K'ochumba
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to find out the perception of teachers on decentralization of
Teachers Service Commission functions in Dagoretti district. The research sought to establish
how teachers perceive decentralization of recruitment, deployment and discipline of teachers to
the BOG IDEOIMEO in Dagoretti district. Specifically, the investigation on recruitment focused
on teachers' views regarding advertisement of vacant posts, short-listing of candidates, how
communication was made to the short- listed candidates, interviewing and selection. The
investigation on deployment focused on teachers' views regarding posting and transfer of
teachers. Finally, the investigation on discipline focused on teachers' views regarding hearing
and determination of discipline cases and suggestions from teachers on how decentralization
could be improved. The study gathered pertinent data using questionnaires with both open and
closed ended questions. The research design used was descriptive survey. The research
instrument was validated using the results of the pilot study. The reliability of the instrument was
found to be 0.75, by using Spearman rank order correlation and spearman-Brown prophecy
formula. 22 primary and 9 secondary schools were taken for the study which was the total
population. Lottery technique was used to draw a sample from every school. The sample
consisted of 110 primary teachers and 36 secondary teachers. The instrument return rate was
100% for both primary and secondary school teachers. Data analysis was by use of SPSS. Data
presentation was by descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages. The findings of the study
revealed that the views of majority of primary and secondary school teacher's regarding
recruitment of teachers respectively focusing on advertisement of vacant posts(57.3%-66.7%
good) short-listing( 61.8%-75% good), interviews(71.8%-66.7% good) and selection( 49.1 %-
52.85% good). The findings showed that recruitment of teachers was demand driven and was
done based on the available vacancies in the district and in particular schools. Deployment of
teachers focusing on posting upon recruitment (61.8%-efficient), posting after study leave
(52.7%-58.6%-efficient), posting upon determination of discipline case (61.8%-55.6%-efficient)
in primary and secondary schools respectively. It was done once a year based on available
vacancies for staff balancing and due to considerations on medical grounds and family interest.
Acknowledgement of transfer request (86.3%-52.8% efficient) and determination of transfer
(57.3%-52.8% -efficient). It was done within seven days. Discipline of teachers was done in a
fair and a transparent way by the BOG and district discipline panel, determination of discipline
cases was done within six months. Discipline of teachers focusing on determination of discipline
cases was very efficient (57.3%-52.8%). Cases of biasness, tribalism and political influence were
cited as the main challenges facing recruitment, deployment and discipline of teachers in
Dagoretti district. TSC functions suggested for further decentralization-included promotion,
hiring and setting standards for teachers. The recommendations of the study were enforcement of
anticorruption activities, putting more resources in decentralized offices and maintenance of
standards. Finally, the suggested areas for future research included the impact of decentralization
of TSC functions on student and teachers performance. Generally, from the findings
decentralization of TSC functions in Dagoretti district was good.
Description
The LB 1727.K4.K6
Keywords
Teachers,training of --Kenya --Dagoretti District