An investigation of the principals role in influencing secondary school students academic performance; a case of Tetu district, Nyeri county, Kenya.

Abstract

According to the Kenya National Examinations Council, the results indicates that there has been low academic performance in National Examinations in Tetu District as indicated by the year 2005-year 2010) (K.N.E.C 2005-201 K.C.S.E analysis). There has been a concern over the deteriorating results among the stakeholders in education in this area. Academic performance in school is a challenging task and it is also a collective responsibility of the teachers, parents, and the Ministry of Education, specifically, and all other stakeholders, generally. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of principals and how it affects academic performance in secondary schools in Tetu District. The objectives of the study was to establish whether there was a relationship between leadership styles and academic performance, to investigate whether interpersonal relationships influence students' academic performance in national examinations in Tetu District. The location of the study was Tetu District, Nyeri County. A sample of 12 schools was drawn from the 27 public schools in Tetu District. A sample of 12 principals, constituted the subjects. The study used inferential statistics for analysis since the data was quantitative in nature. The primary data was collected, coded and analysed through the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The leadership styles, interpersonal relationship, provision of resources, teachers conduct and student discipline are significant factors influencing academic performance in national examinations in Tetu District. The researcher recommends that all the factors influencing academic performance should be addressed and be handled collectively by all the stakeholders who include the teachers who manage teaching, learning, and physical facilities in schools. The parents who should ensure that the student are catered for in school and the Government through the Ministry of Education should give clear guidance and invest in leadership workshops for the school principals.