Effects of capacity building on curriculum implementation in secondary schools in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of capacity building on curriculum implementation in secondary schools in Mwingi central and east constituencies. The study objectives were; to investigate the effects of human resource development, organizational development and institutional and legal framework on curriculum implementation. Descriptive survey was utilized in this study. The target population was 48 principals from 48 public secondary schools in Mwingi central and east constituencies. The researcher used purposive sampling technique to sample all 48 principals. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. To test validity and reliability, a pilot study was done. The research utilized descriptive data analysis techniques for each of the questions asked in the questionnaires presenting them in tables. While qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that head teachers had attended few workshops and therefore had little training in curriculum implementation, education management, Information Communication Technology (ICT), discipline and human resource management. Nearly all schools in Mwingi central and east constituencies had a very poor rate in which new classrooms were being developed in their schools and there was little renovation of buildings due to inadequate government funds. Moreover, the institutional and legal framework was designed in such a way that it supports curriculum implementation. This study recommends all head teachers and teachers be taught on education management, ICT, discipline and human resource that are vital in the curriculum implementation. The government should allocate funds for new classrooms, renovation of buildings, ensure there is enough supply of textbooks, provide materials for ICT in the schools, post more teaching staff to schools and supply other reading materials. Kenya National Union of Teachers(KNUT), Teachers Service Commission(TSC) and Kenya Education Staff Institute (KESI) should perform their institutional and legal mandates so that they can ensure that there is effective implementation of the curriculum in secondary schools.