An investigation into the head teachers administrative Strategies on academic performance in public primary school in Magarini Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

The main purpose of this research was to find out the effects of head teachers’ administrative strategies on academic performance in public primary schools in Magarini Sub-County. The study was guided by the following main objectives: determine the extent of management of discipline, effects of language policy, effects of curriculum supervision and the effects of provision of resources on academic performance in public schools in Magarini Sub-County. The study adopted the goal setting theory of development. This theory states that for an institution to succeed on its mission, the set goals and objectives must be adhered to. This study also used the descriptive survey design technique. The target population were the 64 public primary schools in the Sub- County which have 64 head teachers, 64 deputy head teachers, 628 teachers and standard eight 3984 pupils. Unit of analysis were head teachers, deputy head teachers, teachers and class eight pupils. A sample of 15 public primary school head and deputy head teachers were selected; 12 male head and 3 female head and deputy teachers respectively were selected through the random sampling technique considering that female head and deputy head teachers are few. 128 teachers were selected through stratified and convenience sampling procedures. Out of 384 class eight pupils, 2 pupils from each school were selected through random sampling: one boy and one girl making 128 pupils in total. There were four set of questionnaire, one for the head teacher, the deputy head teacher, teachers and pupils. Data was collected by use of questionnaire and interview guide which was administered to the respondents. A pilot study was conducted in the neighboring Malindi Sub-County with similar characteristics to find out the reliability and validity of the instruments. Supervisors went through the questionnaire and interview guide to judge the adequacy and asses the validity of the research tools. Each item of the interview guide was tailed and grouped accordingly and expressed as percentage of the survey sample. Quantitative data was summarized in form of graphs, tables and charts while qualitative data was analyzed by using different code and categories.