SCHOOL MANAGERS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS LEVELS OF INVOLVEMENT OF STUDENT COUNCILS IN MANAGEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MERU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the schools‟ managers‟ perception towards the levels of involvement of student councils in the management of secondary schools in Meru County, Kenya. The study had five research questions. The questions sought the perception of the managers‟ towards levels of involvement of students‟ councils managements‟ meetings, enhancing discipline, communication, decision making and fostering positive relationships in schools. There were 5 Hypothesis tested at 95% confidence level. The Attribution theory of Fritz Heider which describes the process of perception formation and consequent behavior guided the study. It was conducted by use of mixed method design. In line with the mixed design, the study adopted cross sectional survey for quantitative data and phenomenological approach for qualitative data. The data was collected through quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires, analyzed by use of SPSS version 16 and then presented in tables and charts in percentages and frequencies. Qualitative data was collected through interviews, then transcribed, coded and interpreted according to the research questions. The participants were selected through both probability and non-probability sampling procedures. The target population included principals, Heads of Departments, students‟ councils‟ members, members of secondary schools‟ Boards of Management (BOM), the Sub-County Education Officers and the County Director of Education. The study found out that Students‟ council members should not be involved in management meetings. A high level of involvement of students‟ council in management of schools enhances discipline, communication between students and schools‟ management and fosters positive relationship between students and staff members. The study recommends that students‟ leaders should only be invited in BOM meetings for specific agenda. The system of electing leaders should allow nomination of some members to avoid compromise in discipline. Managers should avail more informal channels of communication in schools. High level of involving students‟ fosters positive relationships in schools.