Strategic management practices and performance of public secondary schools in Kenya; a survey of Lari sub-county, Kiambu county in kenya

Abstract

All institutions aim to perform well. However, they encounter some challenges that hinder them from performing well, especially in a dynamic and fast evolving environment. Disparities exist in the performance of public secondary schools with some performing well and others performing poorly. Exemplary institutions have adopted strategic management practices that have helped them to achieve their goals within a dynamic environment. The study aimed to investigate the influence of strategic management practices and the performance of public secondary schools located in Lari Sub-County. Four specific objectives of the study were to evaluate the influence of strategic leadership, technology adoption, strategic planning and to establish the influence of strategic financial management on performance in the Lari Sub-county. The inquiry was grounded on three theoretical frameworks: stakeholder theory, resource-based theory, and contingency theory. The study employed a descriptive survey design, targeting 420 individuals, including 42 principals, 42 deputies, as well as 336 Heads of Departments and Deans, from the 42 public schools in Lari Sub-county, with a sample size of 81 selected through stratified random sampling. Self-administered questionnaires were used for primary data collection and reliability was measured using the Cronbach alpha method. The data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. In qualitative data analysis, data was analyzed using summative content analysis and in quantitative data, data was analyzed descriptively and inferentially. The findings established that strategic leadership had a significant positive impact on school performance (β= 0.401, p = 0.003). Technology adoption showed a strong positive relationship with school performance (β = 0.621, p = 0.000). Strategic planning also had a positive impact on performance (β= 0.477, p = 0.000). Strategic financial management demonstrated a significant positive influence on performance (β = 0.461, p = 0.001).The study concludes that strategic management practices significantly influence the performance of public secondary schools in Lari Sub-county. The study recommends the enhancement of strategic leadership, technology adoption, and financial management practices while reviewing and improving strategic planning processes to achieve better outcomes.