Principals’ contribution to a learner friendly environment in public secondary schools of West Pokot sub county

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the school Principals’ contribution to promotion of a learner friendly environment in public secondary schools in West Pokot Sub County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to evaluate the level to which the Principals’ sensitization of teachers has promoted learner friendly secondary schools; to establish how the Principals’ involvement with parents and community has influenced promotion of learner friendly secondary schools; to investigate the extent to which the principals’ overseeing of physical facilities influenced promotion of learner friendly secondary schools and to determine the extent to which the Principals’ provision of school fence has promoted learner friendly secondary schools. The study was conducted using descriptive survey design and it targeted fourteen public secondary schools in West Pokot Sub County. The sample size for this study comprised of 12 principals and 149 teachers. The study used Krejcie and Morgan’s table to determine sample sizes for the teachers. School principals were sampled through purposive sampling while the schools were selected through random sampling. The study was guided by the goal setting theory. The researcher used questionnaires, interview and observation schedules as data collection instruments. The validity of the instruments was checked by the supervisors and other experts of educational administration. Spearman Brown Prophecy formula was used to ascertain the internal consistency and reliability of the research instrument. Qualitative data was analyzed descriptively by calculating frequencies and percentages hence represented by means of tables, graphs and charts. The research findings revealed that majority of the Principals had done fairly well to promote learner friendly environment in public secondary schools in West Pokot Sub County. Principals of West Pokot Sub County had made significant contribution in preparing and supporting their education stakeholders towards the implementation of learner friendly schools. The study recommends that the school management committees to ensure that availability of physical facilities including fence would be of high priority. The government to ensure that every teacher undergoes a refresher course on learner friendly school approach.