THE ROLE OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AS HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NANDI COUNTY, KENYA (Published)
Across the world, globalization has elevated the importance of human resource management development in organizations. These changes have led to the notion of the human resource system as a strategic asset. Many of the arguments about processes of globalization within the HR function rest on the assumption that there has and continues to be longitudinal change in the conduct of human resource. In order to effectively deal with all these changes, human resource professionals must develop competencies that will allow them to carry out their roles effectively, such competences like: flexibility, team work, communication, strategic planning, network building, client service, orientation, organizational awareness, self confidence, sharing of expertise, global and cultural understanding among others. This paper sought to identify the role played by school principals as Human Resource Managers in Secondary schools. The study was modeled on Burns and Stalk Contingency theory which focuses on how management systems might change in response to demands of rapidly changing environment. Survey research design was used. The target population was 140 secondary school principals drawn from Nandi County. Census sampling was used to select the study sample. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaire. Coding of responses was done using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) for windows Version 16. Analysis of the data was done through descriptive statistics. Data was presented in form of frequency tables and charts. The study findings clearly indicated that the primary roles identified included recruitment of staff in schools, encouraging team work among staff, empowering staff and encouraging them in developing their career. Therefore the principals should have a knowhow on, how to carry out the above roles to boost the performance and development of the institution.
Keywords: Human Resource Managers (HRMs), Principals, Role, Secondary Schools
CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A CASE OF ELDORET EAST DISTRICT, KENYA (Published)
One of the primary and most important service industries in the public sector and communities is education. It is the quality of education that forms an enduring wealth and security of the societies and their people (Babbar, 1995). During the last two decades, the preservation of high quality and standards in education has become a major concern for educational institutions and the government. Consequently, the demand for explicit quality evaluation and assurance processes has been increased rapidly. The enormous funds which the government allocates to this sector makes it very important for those who manage education to ensure that the quality of education imparted in schools and other institutions of learning is of the required standard. During the 2012-2013 financial year, the government allocated Ksh 200 billion to the Ministry of Education in the budget (2012-2013 budget, GOK, 2012). This paper examines the challenges facing the implementation of Total Quality Management in Schools. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which Total Quality Management principles are practiced in secondary schools in Eldoret East District.The study was carried out in Eldoret East District, Kenya. The study employed use of a survey research design and utilized the stratified random sampling technique for data collection. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and document analysis. The target populations used were principals, directors of studies and heads of departments of the selected schools. A total of 15 secondary schools in Eldoret East District participated in the study. The findings of the study revealed a number of challenges in the implementation of TQM as; Lack of commitment by the management and some staff members, Organizational culture in the school, Poor documentation, Insufficient training of key team players, Ineffective communication. The study is aimed at giving Academic scholars and implementers a practical view of the implementation process of Total Quality Management with the involved loophole. Those who wish to further their education will find new information, which will contribute to the building of their scholarly abilities and growth. It also gives a model to minimize these challenges.
Keywords: Challenges, Implementation, Secondary Schools, Total Quality Management (TQM)