Adoption of national education management information system and its effect on management of public secondary schools in Nandi North Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the implementation of the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) in Kenyan public secondary schools, there remained limited understanding of its effectiveness in enhancing administrative efficiency, management practices, and professional development in Nandi North Sub-County. This study examined the current state of NEMIS implementation, assessed its impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative tasks and management practices, and explored its influence on education administrators' professional development. The study was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Technology Task Fit Theory. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, targeting 558 respondents, including 58 principals and 500 teachers and administrators from 58 public secondary schools in the sub-county. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling table, a sample of 121 respondents was selected, comprising 11 principals through purposive sampling and 110 teachers/ administrators through simple random sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. The study established that NEMIS implementation varied across schools, with those having well-developed ICT infrastructure demonstrating higher effectiveness in student data and curriculum management, while schools with limited infrastructural support faced challenges that constrained optimal use, the system improved administrative efficiency by reducing the time and effort required for routine tasks, enhancing coordination and communication among departments, and supporting data-driven decision-making. Furthermore, NEMIS provided opportunities for professional development, enabling administrators and teachers to acquire skills that supported better management practices. The researcher concluded that NEMIS demonstrated potential in improving administrative efficiency, management practices, and professional development in public secondary schools; however, its implementation levels were inconsistent across schools. The study recommended that NEMIS adoption should be strengthened through targeted training programs, improved infrastructural support, regular system maintenance, and continuous professional development initiatives to maximize its effectiveness in transforming educational management practices in Nandi North Sub-County.