An Evaluation Of The Role Of Church Sponsors In Academic Performance: A Case Study Of Public Secondary Schools In Migori County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The role of sponsors in the management and operations of schools has changed drastically from the 1960s to date. Currently, sponsors role have been reduced in the management of schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the sponsors on public secondary school administration in six districts within Migori County. Objectives of the study were to determine sponsors contribution in the running of schools; to investigate the expectations of sponsors’ on teachers, students and school operations and to suggest ways of dealing with challenges faced by head teachers while dealing with sponsors in public secondary schools in Migori County. A survey was done to collect information. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires. The target population of the study was 42 head-teachers and 4 sponsors of church sponsored public secondary schools in Migori County, the District Education Officers, (DEO’s) and the Area Education Officers (AEO).The study sample consisted of 42 head teachers, 4 sponsors, 4 DEOs and 15 AEOs (Table 3.1) in Migori County. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the Christian church sponsored secondary schools. The schools were stratified into sub counties in Migori County. In each sub county, all the Christian church sponsored secondary schools were selected. Sampling was used to select head teachers and sponsors of church sponsored public secondary schools, County Director of Education (CDE), TSC County Director, the District Education Officers, (DEO’s) and the Area Education Officers (AEO). Quantitative information has been presented inform of bar graphs, pie charts and percentages. Qualitative information has been organized in themes and linked to the study objectives. The study findings will help restore the vital role played by church sponsors in the running of public secondary schools. The study used three factors through which the sponsors support the sampled schools. The factors included employment of Board teachers, provision of infrastructure and students’ sponsorship. The study revealed that the help of sponsors contributes positively to academic performance and discipline. The sponsors help through employing extra teachers, building classrooms, laboratories and libraries, and providing bursaries to needy students hence development within and out of the school environment.