Integration of the students’ representative councils in the management of public secondary schools in Kenya

Abstract

The involvement of students’ leaders in school management is seen as a precursor to stability and overall school success. Stability in learning institutions is a fact that immensely contributes to the realization of the learning institution’s goals and objectives. School Prefects have been in place for a long time with the sole purpose of acting as a link between the teachers, school management and fellow students. In a recent development, a student representative will be required to be on the Board of Management as an ex-officio member. Despite the bold steps aimed at ensuring harmony in secondary schools through student inclusivity in decision-making, cases of student unrests are still prevalent within secondary schools in Kenya. This study investigated the extent of the integration of the students representative councils in the management of secondary schools in Kisumu County, with specific focus on the formation of the students representative councils, the role of the students representative councils, privileges of the members of the students representative councils, and the challenges faced by members of students representative councils in secondary school management. The study was guided by Douglas Mc. Gregor’s Theory Y which encourages participatory approach to management. Participatory management has gained currency in Kenya and the world over. The study was carried out in Kisumu County, Kenya. Kisumu County has 199 public secondary schools that have existed for atleast five years. The respondents, who included the principal, deputy principal, board of management chairperson and student leaders were drawn from 60 secondary schools. These were arrived at by use of percentages of the target population as recommended by Mugenda (2009) who recommends 30% of the target population for a population of less than 1000. Data were collected by use of questionnaires, document analysis, and observation after validation. The data collection procedures entailed obtaining the necessary clearance and a letter of introduction from the school of education of Moi University and research permit from National Council for Science, Technology and innovation. This study applied a mixed methods approach. This is pragmatism; a philosophical underpinning for mixed methods studies. This study adopted a descriptive survey research design aimed at collecting information from respondents on their attitudes and opinions in relation to integration of the students’ representative councils in secondary schools management. Data were analysed by use of SPSS and subjected to a chi square test for verification. Qualitative data were taken through content analysis. The study found that the process of formation, and the privileges influenced integration of the students’ representative council in school management while the roles of the members of the students’ representative council did not significantly influence their integration in secondary school management. The study also found that there were significant challenges to integration of students’ representative councils in secondary schools management. This study recommends that students be involved in secondary school management, the members of the students’ council be inducted into the performance of their roles, students’ council offices and boardrooms be part of the school physical infrastructure, and that further research be conducted focusing on the role of the students council as pertains academic excellence in secondary schools.