RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GARISSA COUNTY, KENYA
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION MAKING AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GARISSA COUNTY, KENYA
Dekow Muhumed Hassan - Department of Educational Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Gladys Kinyanjui - Department of Educational Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Daniel Otieno Oketch - Department of Educational Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Increased indiscipline cases and declining educational quality have been attributed to a lack of community involvement in secondary schools. But in spite of these initiatives, the quality of education, particularly in public secondary schools, has been deteriorating over time, most recently in the previous five academic years. The aim of the study was to establish the relationship between community involvement in decision making and quality of education in public secondary schools in Garissa County. The study applied the social system theory proposed by Ludwig von Bertallanffy. The study design for the research was correlational research design whereas, the target population was public secondary schools within Garissa County, Kenya. Precisely, the research targeted all principals, teachers, and students in the 40 public secondary schools. The total target population was 4656 respondents. Purposive sampling was utilized to sample principals, support staff, BOM, area chiefs, sub county directors and religious leaders. Whereas stratified sampling was adopted in sampling the students and teachers. The total sample size was 330 respondents. Reliability was analysed using Cronbach Alpha Co-efficient of 0.75. Validity of qualitative was established through conformability. Questionnaires and interview guides were utilized as research instruments. Quantitative data was assessed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), which generated descriptive statistics such as means and percentages. To display quantitative data, frequency tables were utilized. To determine the link between the study's variables, multiple correlation was used. The study variables will be used to organize the qualitative data, which was analysed using theme analysis and presented in written narratives. The study was significant in that the findings on involvement of the community in school administration will empower school agents to create policies that will include the community and parents. The study found that very often the community is involved in decision making. The study also found that positive perception of participatory practices, though the presence of uncertainty among some respondents highlights room for improvement in communication, transparency, or inclusivity. The study found that most of the respondents believe there is a positive relationship between community engagement and quality education either highly or moderately and that the community is involved and consulted on matters of monitoring and evaluation on an annual basis. The study concluded that community involvement in school decision-making is common, with many participants acknowledging frequent engagement. This participatory approach is positively perceived and contributes to better student discipline and moral standards. However, the presence of uncertainty among some respondents signals the need to improve inclusivity, communication, and transparency. The study recommended that schools should establish clear, consistent, and transparent channels for communication with the community to reduce uncertainty and improve trust and inclusivity in decision-making processes.
