Factors affecting women teachers' participation in leadership positions in Marakwet West District secondary schools, Kenya
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Date
2013-02-15
Authors
Chelang'a, Grace Chepkorir
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Abstract
Despite the affirmative action by the government, women under-representation in education
leadership continues to persist. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors
affecting women teachers' participation in leadership positions in Marakwet west District
secondary schools. The specific objectives of this study were to find out how educational
training of women teachers' affect their participation in leadership positions, to establish the
effects of culture, to determine the extent to which community's perception towards women
affect their participation in leadership positions and to examine how government policy on
affirmative action affects women teachers' participation in leadership position in Kenyan
secondary schools. Descriptive survey research design was adopted because it would help to
gather the factors and precise information concerning the current situation. The sample size
was selected from a population of 28 Head-Teachers (HITS), Deputy Head-Teachers
(OH/Ts) and over 400 Assistant Teachers from the 28 public secondary schools within the
district using stratified random sampling. Pilot study was done in two secondary schools
which were excluded in the actual study. Interview schedules were administered to the
District Education Officer (DEO) and District Quality Assurance Officer (DQAO) at the
district education offices while Open and closed ended questionnaires were administered to
Head-Teachers, Deputy Head Teachers and Assistant Teachers for data collection. The data
collected was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques with the help of
Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The data was presented by use of tables and
charts. Findings shows that education and training, community perceptions and cultural
beliefs all contribute to low participation of women in school management and leadership
opportunities. Sensitization and providing education opportunities for women to develop key
leadership skills is important in enhancing participation of women in school management.
The research finding will be significant to advice policy makers and stakeholders of
education at various levels of society on strategies to empower women to actively participate
in leadership activities.