Influence of headteachers’ technical skills on the academic performance in public primary schools in Bomet Central Sub County, Bomet County, Kenya

Abstract

Managerial skills tend to influence academic performance. Most schools that consistently tend to perform academically well owe it to head teachers who apply prudent managerial skills. This study sought to establish the influence of head teachers’ managerial skills on academic performance in primary schools in Bomet Central Sub-county, Kenya. It was guided by the following objectives: to investigate the influence of head teachers technical skills (financial management and communication skills) on academic performance .The study adopted descriptive survey .A sample size of 28 was selected from the total population for the study using simple random sampling technique. Closed ended questionnaires was used to collect the data from the head teachers and an interview schedule was used for County Director of Education. A pilot study was carried out prior to the actual research to test the validity and reliability of the instrument. The collected data was analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS).From the study, it was found out that most of the head teachers in Bomet Central sub-county apply technical skills and human skills as they run their schools. The performance in most of the schools studied has been improving for the last three years meaning that there is positive relationship between head teachers’ managerial skills and academic performance. It is recommended that head teachers should strive to have all the required managerial skills and in particular technical skills to help manage their schools well and for better academic performance.