Student councils’ effectiveness and management of Public Secondary Schools in Kisii County, Kenya

Abstract

The Ministry of Education established Student Councils in Secondary Schools in 2009 to assist in managing student affairs. However, student unrests which are manifested in strikes, rioting, burning of school property and violent behaviors still continue unabated. In the recent past there has been a large number of Secondary Schools’ unrests reported in Kisii County. This happens despite inclusion of student councils in secondary school management. The purpose of this study was to determine the student councils’ effectiveness in the management of public Secondary Schools in Kisii County. The specific objectives of the study were to; establish the effect of student councils’ involvement in communication between students and administration, student welfare activities, decision- making and implementation of school rules and regulations on management of public Secondary Schools in Kisii County. The study was anchored on two theories the functional leadership theory and social systems theory. The study adopted pragmatism paradigm, mixed method approach and concurrent explanatory design. The target population was 140948 respondents comprising of 104 principals, 2080 teachers, 1040 student leaders, 137713 students and 11 Sub County Directors of Education. The sample size was 1066 respondents comprising of 31 Principals, 336 teachers, 289 Student leaders, 399 students and 11 Sub-County Directors of Education. Stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling technique was used to select respondents. Data collection was done through the administration of questionnaires, interviews and document analysis. Validity was established using expert judgement, while reliability was determined using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient. Data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics such as Correlation analysis and linear regression with the aid of SPSS V26. The findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between student councils’ involvement in communication (β1=0.780), student welfare (β2=0.539), decision-making (β3=0.527) and implementation of school rules (β4=0.492) and management of public Secondary Schools in Kisii County. The study concluded that involving student council acts as a link between students and school administration. Involving student council in students’ welfare activities influences management of public Secondary Schools. The student council were involved in decision making and implementing school rules in public secondary school. Student council were involved in ensuring that school rules are implemented effectively. School administration should put in place good communication systems in schools to ensure a smooth two-way flow of information to all prefects, students, and teachers and support staff. The school administration should involve students in decision making through student councils. The students should be involved in welfare activities like meals and time for preps. The findings and recommendations will be used to advice both ministry of education and school administrators on the importance of Student Councils’ involvement in school management in order to improve school effectiveness in management and avert perennial students’ unrests. The findings will benefit the society considering that secondary school education plays an important role in the education system in Kenya. Improvement of school environment arising from better understanding of the role of student councils in school management and its influence will help them take more responsibility in their own learning.