Assessing Effective Management Of Decentralization Of Teaching & Learning By Teachers Service Commission In Public Primary Schools In Mombasa Sub- County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

In the recent past all over the world, there has been a lot of interest in decentralization of government functions all over the world and Kenya has not been left behind as a way of enhancing efficiency and effectiveness and taking governance to the people. Despite decentralization of education functions through delegation and deconcentration of functions, there are still concerns of ineffectiveness in service delivery especially at the local level. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of management of decentralization by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) focusing on the teaching and learning in public primary schools in Mombasa Sub-County. The objectives of the study were: to describe teachers perception on the effectiveness of managing decentralization of teaching and learning by Teachers‟ Service Commission (TSC) in public primary schools in Mombasa Sub-County, to find out the Head teachers‟ view on managing decentralization of teaching and learning by the Teachers Services (TSC) in public primary schools in Mombasa County, to identify the operational challenges faced by TSC in managing decentralization of teaching and learning in public primary schools in Mombasa County and to analyze the benefits of decentralizing teaching and learning by TSC in public primary schools in Mombasa County. The study used descriptive survey design to target all the head teachers in the 8 public primary schools in Mombasa County. The area DEO and the County Director of Education -TSC also participated in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select 8 primary schools that participated in the study while purposive sampling was used to select the 8 head teachers and the area DEO. The study used questionnaires as the main tools for data collection. A pilot study was carried out among three head teachers in the target sub- County. Data collected were both quantitative and qualitative. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the quantitative data obtained. Qualitative data was then analyzed by arranging the responses thematically in line with the objectives of study. The study established that majority of the teachers and the head teachers had a positive perception on the effectiveness of managing decentralization of teaching and learning by TSC in public primary schools in Mombasa County. The study also established that head teachers and the County Education Officials were very supportive on the decentralization, noting that it has a number of benefits including enhancing accountability as the schools account for the funds and services received, brings services closer to the people while the central office left for policy formulation and provision of funds. The study further established that there were a number of challenges faced by both the head teachers and education officials which included inadequate funds by the ministry of Education, lack of training in school management by the head teachers, conflict of interest among the SMC, inadequate teaching staff, Problem of prioritization of items purchased by the head teachers and political interference by the local leaders when it comes to transfers, promotion and discipline. The study recommends sensitization of all the stakeholders and the community on their roles and also on the contents of the Education Acts and Policies. Finally the Education officials should visit schools regularly in order to monitor schools instructional programmes, assess the teachers‟ suitability and ensure that there is a good communication channel within the Sub-County.