Examine Factors Influencing Formulation Of Strategic Plans In Public Secondary Schools In Kirinyaga County, Kenya

ABSTRACT A strategic plan is a management tool for organizing the present for the purpose of projections of the desired future. While strategic planning has been emphasized in many organizations, not much attention has been given to school strategic planning. Yet, school management is a complex process that requires committed, visionary leaders and managers. As a result of poor planning, most schools fail to achieve their goals and objectives, and this is reflected in poor academic performance. The study sought to examine the factors influencing formulation of strategic plans in public secondary schools in Kirinyaga County. The study was guided by the Goal-Based strategic planning model. Compared to others the Goal-Based strategic planning model is more effective and comprehensive. However, each organization ends up developing its own nature and model of strategic planning, often by selecting a model and modifying it as they go along developing their own planning process. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The study investigated the approaches of strategic planning employed, the impact of financial and human resources, the influence of school leadership and the policy framework guiding Strategic Planning in Public Secondary Schools. From 118 public secondary schools in Kirinyaga County, 24 schools (20.3%) were selected by first stratifying them according to their types, then selecting the requisite number of schools from each stratum and 2 teachers per sample school through simple random sampling. The principal of each sample school and the County Director of Education were automatic participants in the study. The data collected was organized as per items in the questionnaires and interview schedules, and then analyzed using SPSS computer software. The study established that formulation of strategic plans in Public secondary Schools was hindered by absence of policy framework, inadequate knowledge and skills on strategic management among school leaders, and inadequate allocation of resources to the process. The study is significant to the ministry of and school managers since if identified challenges facing strategy formulation in public schools. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should provide the policy frame work that would make formulation of strategic plans compulsory in public secondary schools. Also teacher trainers should include strategic planning in their curricula so that teachers entering the profession have knowledge and skills in strategy formulation. This clearly underscores the importance of concern in the formulation of strategic plans in Secondary Schools in Kirinyaga County, and possibly a generalization to the rest of the country.