Abstract:
In the recent past there has been a large number of
secondary schools’ unrests and other forms of indiscipline in
Kenyan secondary schools. This happens despite inclusion of
student councils in secondary school management. The objective
of the study was to establish the influence of student councils’
involvement in welfare activities and management of public
secondary schools in Kisii County, Kenya. The study was
anchored on social systems theory and adopted mixed methods
design. The target population was 140,948 respondents
comprising of 104 principals, 2080 teachers, 1040 student
leaders, 137,713 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 determined using expert judgement, while
reliability was determined using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient.
Data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential
statistics ie correlation analysis and linear regression with the aid
of SPSS V26. From the linear regression model, (R2 = .199) shows
that student councils’ involvement in student welfare accounted
for 19.9% variation in management of public schools. There was
a positive significant effect of student councils’ involvement in
student welfare and management of public schools (β2=0.539 and
p value <0.05). Therefore, an increase in student councils’
involvement in student welfare led to an increase in management
of public schools. It was concluded that involving student council
in students’ welfare activities influences management public
schools in Kisii. The study recommends that students be involved
in welfare activities to avoid unnecessary conflicts between the
school administration and students.
