Students' Perception on the role of head teacher in implementation of girls' re-admission Policy

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2011 in the subject Pedagogy - The Teacher, Educational Leadership, grade: masters degree level, Moi University (Dept of Educational Management and Policy), course: Educational administration, language: English, abstract: The purpose of study was to investigate students' perception on head teacher's role in implementation of girls' re-admission policy. The study was to help highlight the plight of girls who drop out of school as a result of pregnancy with a view of giving them a chance to continue with education through re-admission. To achieve this objective the study examined students' perception on head teachers' administrative, counseling and support roles. Students' perception was the dependent variable whereas the head teachers' age, gender, educational level and teaching experience were independent variables. The study was based on Tinto's (1975) model of student retention which stipulates that a student persists or drops out depending on their degree of both academic and social integration. The research design was a descriptive survey where questionnaires and interview schedule were used to collect data. Target populations were form three students, head teachers, counseling teachers, class teachers and the District Quality Assurance and Standards Officer. Sampling techniques used in the study were Simple Random, Stratified and Purposive. Reliability of the instruments was established through a pilot study in a school outside the study area. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the reliability coefficient that yielded a value of 0.82. Validity of instruments was determined through expert judgment involving discussions with other researcher's and colleagues. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that head teachers had not implemented the girls' re-admission policy to the expectation as reflected in the poor discharge of administrative, counseling and support roles. It was also established that head teachers' educational level and teaching experience had a positive influence on administrative role whereas teaching experience had a positive influence on both counseling and support roles. The study recommended; the Kenyan Ministry of Education to review the policy so as to come up with appropriate guidelines for implementation, counseling to be strengthened in schools , further training for head teachers and introduction of support programs for the girls who drop out of school due to pregnancy.