Effectiveness of Boards of Management Involvement in Management of Physical and Material Resources in Enhancing Student Academic Achievement in Public Secondary Schools in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

This research aimed to assess whether school boards in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya, effectively improved students' test scores in public secondary schools. It specifically examined the effectiveness of the Board of Management (BOM) in enhancing academic standards and the quality of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results. The study was guided by Hargreaves's (2001) Capital Theory of School Effectiveness and Improvement. A cross-sectional survey design was employed to gather data from 1,740 BOM members, 116 schools, and 116 Deputy Principals (DPs), with a final sample consisting of 97 schools, 97 DPs, and 194 BOM members. Data collection involved observation checklists, questionnaires for BOM members, and surveys for DPs. Reliability was assessed using Pearson's product-moment correlation and the test-retest method. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, percentages, standard deviations) and inferential statistics (ANOVA, regression analysis) were used, with results presented in tables. The survey achieved responses from 97 DPs, revealing a strong positive correlation between BOM financial management and KCSE performance (P=0.001). The study recommended reviewing bureaucratic procedures for student discipline, providing BOMs with policy-making training, and implementing annual employee evaluations. Additionally, it highlighted the need for government-provided training to enhance BOMs' hiring and selection skills to ensure the recruitment of qualified personnel.