Thesis:

Influence of school management practices on learners’ transition rates in public primary schools in Tseikuru sub-county, Kitui county, Kenya

School management practices play a key role in the transition of learners from one grade to another. However, in many public primary schools in Tseikuru Sub-county, transition rates have been low. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of school management practices on transition rates in in public primary schools in Tseikuru Sub-county, Kitui County, Kenya. The objectives were; assessing the influence of requisition of teachers, provision of infrastructure, stakeholders’ collaboration and provision of support services on transition rates in public primary schools. The study was guided by the school management process theory and the transition theory. The study adopted a mixed methodology and applied concurrent triangulation research design. Target population totaled 13337 respondents comprising 59 headteachers, 546 teachers, 59 Chairs of BoM, 531 parents’ representatives, 12140 pupils and 2 Sub-county Directors of Education (TSC & MoE) from which a sample of 506 respondents was obtained using Yamane’s Formula. From this sample size, 6 headteachers, 55 teachers, 6 BoM chairs, 53 parents’ representatives and 2 SCDEs were sampled using purposive sampling whereas 384 learners were randomly selected. A questionnaire was applied to gather data from teachers whereas interview guides for headteachers, BoM chairs, parents’ representatives, pupils and SCDEs. There was also document analysis guide for the researcher. Piloting was conducted among 51 respondents from a sample of public primary schools in Nzanzane Sub-county to test the validity, reliability, credibility and dependability. Validity was established using expert judgement. Reliability was established using test re-test method and a reliability index, r = 0.725, was obtained using Cronbach Alpha Method, which indicated high internal reliability. Credibility was ascertained by data triangulation through multiple analyses and dependability through detailed reporting of the data collection process. Data analysis began by identifying common themes. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25) and presented using tables. The study found that transition rates in many public primary schools in Tseikuru Sub- county has been on a downward trend with cases of dropouts being on the rise. This has been attributed to school management practices namely requisition of low number of teachers, inadequate provision of infrastructure, infrequent stakeholders’ collaboration and lack of adequate support from school heads. Thus, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education should continue to recruit teachers in areas where they are most needed, focusing on subjects with high demand and targeting schools with lower performance metrics. Headteachers and the Ministry of Education should ensure that public primary schools have adequate facilities. Headteachers should establish a structured stakeholder engagement framework to create a shared vision for improving pupils’ learning outcomes. Headteachers together with stakeholders should continue providing key support such as mentorship, counselling and financial services to learners to enhance their transition from one grade to another.