Thesis:

Influence of principals’ parental engagement practices on Implementation of competency based curriculum in Bomet County, Sotik sub-county, Kenya

This research investigation main purpose was to examine influence of parental involvement practices on effective implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum in Sotik Sub-County. However, parental engagement in guidance and counseling, training, as well as instructional resources provision on successful implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) formed specific objectives of investigation. In addition, investigation employed descriptive research design with a mixed-methods approach. Interviews, questionnaires and focus group guides were applied to comprehensively examine multifaceted roles of parents in shaping Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) landscape. Fredricks, Blumenfeld and Paris (2004), engagement theory and product theory by Katherine W and Noel R, (2023), formed theoretical framework. A target population of 59760 included 28782 parents, 30,201 learners, 622 teachers and 155 school administrators actively involved in Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) implementation. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 398 respondents consisting of 18 Headteachers, 100 teachers, 180 students and 100 parents was arrived at. A stratified purposeful sampling method ensured representation from various school types and grade levels. The research instruments underwent a rigorous piloting process for clarity and reliability. Moreover, tools validity was measured through expert review whereas reliability was assessed using a test-retest approach. Data collection involved questionnaires for quantitative data but interviews and focus group discussions for qualitative insights. However, for qualitative information analysis was achieved thematically whereas quantitative information analysis was attained by use of frequency tables and percentages but for inferential findings Karl Pearsons Correlation was applied with aid of Statistical Packages of Social Sciences Version 30. The findings aimed to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on parental involvement in Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), providing insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers. However, on research findings, it was established that there is limited access to parental guidance and counselling in Junior secondary schools, parents lack adequate training on Competency Based Curriculum framework, Headteachers rarely involve parents in decision making in Junior secondary schools and although parental provision of instructional materials has a significant impact on effective implementation of Competency Based Curriculum parents face hard social-economic challenges making it problematic to facilitate in provision of instructional resources. Therefore, investigation recommends that Headteachers to be in the front line to facilitate parental guidance and counselling, Headteachers to encourage parental participation in decision making, education policy makers to develop policies aiming at programs that enhance parental training on Competency Based Curriculum and Ministry of Education to ensure that there is adequacy of instructional materials in all Junior secondary schools to ease the burden for parents as many are the times parents experience economic challenges.