An investigation of students’ involvement in decision making on performance of school internal examinations in public secondary schools in Kwale sub-county, Kwale county,Kenya

Abstract

Scholars of decision making have long been interested in understanding the results of stakeholders’ input in decision making on performance. This is characterized by inclusivity, participation, fairness, justice and the rule of law. This study therefore investigated how the involvement of students in decision making impact on their performance in school internal examinations in public Secondary Schools in Kwale sub-county. This study was motivated by the fact that performance in National Exams in Kwale sub-county has been persistently poor and lack of students’ involvement in decision making is doubted as the cause. This study therefore investigated the relationship between student involvement in decision making and their performance in school internal examination, K.C.S.E as a reflector. This study singled out four aspects of student involvement in decision making which encompasses selection of subjects, target setting, and preparation of study time table and formulation of disciplinary policies. The results of the study will benefit students as their views will be incorporated in school management thus improving on their academic performance. This study was based on Condorcet’s Social Choice theory put forward by Nicholus De Condorcet which brought to light the importance of collective decision making and consensus on performance as well Freeman’s stakeholder’s theory put forward in 1916 and redefined in 1963 and 2005.The study was based on descriptive survey design because of the nature of data collected. The target population consisted of all 22 public secondary schools with 22 principals, 379 teachers and 10,579 students. Due to a big target population only six public secondary schools was sampled with 6 principals, 33 teachers and 266 students. The study therefore targeted a total of 305 respondents in Kwale District. The sample was obtained through multi-stage approach sampling to ensure that both male and female students, TSC and BOM teachers are represented through stratification after which were randomly selected. The data was collected by the researcher using questionnaires for students and teachers and interview guides for principals. Piloting was used to establish validity and cronchbac alpha used to test reliability of the instruments. The relationship and links between the independent and the dependent variables were discussed and logical conclusions made. The quantitative data collected were then analyzed using SPSS method. The data was then presented through tabular representations of fractions and percentage of each variable. Graphical methods were used to show frequency distributions by using bar graphs, pie-charts and histograms. The study found out that though students are supposed to be involved in making decisions they are not involved. Students in public secondary schools in kwale sub-county are only expected to follow decisions made by other stakeholders and this was found to be the cause of poor performance in internal examinations.