Challenges Faced by Principals in Managing Teachers Employed by Board of Management in Public Secondary Schools in Bondo Sub-County, Kenya

Principals are professionally trained as teachers yet they carry out management roles of teachers employed by Board of Management (BoM) thus assume the role of human resource managers. Multiplicity of principals’ roles brings muddling of the whole process that presents with it numerous challenges. The purpose of this study was to examine challenges principals face in managing teachers employed by BoM in public secondary schools in Bondo sub-county, Kenya. The research addressed the following objectives: to identify challenges faced by principals in recruitment of teachers employed by BoM, to determine challenges faced by principals in empowering teachers employed by BoM, to evaluate challenges faced by principals in encouraging career development of teachers employed by BoM, to find out challenges faced by principals in encouraging team work amongst teachers employed by BoM. The study was modelled on Administrative Management Theory by Fayol (1925) which focusses on how managers incorporate principles of management in their Management styles. A conceptual framework was used to explain the relationship between the variables in the study. Sequential Mixed Research Approach and Descriptive Research Design were employed. Target population was 36 principals from 36 public secondary schools. Sample size was calculated using Cochran’s Formula where a sample size of 33 was obtained giving a study population of 33 principals from 33 public secondary schools for actual study. Stratified and Simple random sampling was used to select the 33 principals from the target population. 10% of the sample size for actual study formed the sample size for pilot study. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews administered to principals. Reliability analysis was done using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient which was found to be 76.4% indicated that instruments were reliable. Validity was ascertained through Expert Judgement where the computed Content Validity Index was at 0.9 thus the instruments were valid. Responses were coded using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for windows version 25. The Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while Content and thematic analysis were used to analyze Qualitative data. Analyzed data were presented in form of frequency tables. Study findings were that; in recruitment of teachers employed by BoM, principals experience challenges like inability to offer attractive remuneration package. Empowerment challenges were that teachers employed by BoM have limited involvement in critical decision making. Limited support of training practices by teachers employed by BoM came out as a barrier to career development while lack of communication was identified as a hindrance to team work. These challenges hinder the effectiveness of principals as managers of teachers employed by BoM. The study concluded that; Limited resources coupled with financial constraints are stumbling blocks to recruitment, empowerment and career development of teachers employed by the board while lack of communication hinders team work. Additional challenges identified by respondents were related to appraisal, induction and instructional supervision. The study recommended that Ministry of Education (MoE) at sub-county level to have database showing number of teachers employed by BoM at a given period of time and also MoE to allocate a specific vote head on funds sent to schools to cater for facilitation on recruitment, induction, empowerment and career development of board teachers. For further studies, the study recommends that challenges facing principals in managing teachers employed by BoM in public primary schools be explored.