Influence of Strategic Planning on Academic Performance of Public Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

This study was set to establish the influence of strategic planning on academic performance of public secondary schools in Bungoma County. The study was prompted by concerns among education stake holders over poor academic performance in educational institutions. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study was conducted in 360 public secondary schools in Bungoma County. The target population comprised of 360 Principals, 360 Board of management chairpersons and 360 Directors of Studies. The sample size of the study comprised of 72 Principals, 72 BOM chairpersons and 72 DOS. Simple random sampling was used to select 72 schools which represented 20% of 360 target schools.  Purposive sampling was used to select Principals, DOS and BOM chairpersons. Primary data was collected using closed ended questionnaires and checklists. The statistical package for social sciences SPSS was used for analysis of data. Descriptive statistics used were frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistics used were Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and linear regression analysis. Linear regression analysis and correlation were used to test relationship between independent and dependent variables. Analyzed data was presented in APA tables, pie charts and bar graphs. The study established that there is a positive and significant relationship between strategic planning and academic performance of public secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study recommended that the ministry of education and school managers should ensure effective implementation and adherence to policy guidelines on strategic plans and safety standards in public secondary schools in Bungoma County through close monitoring using standardized monitoring tools and conduct inspection to ascertain compliance and ensure that the plans are executed effectively in order to realize improvement in the academic performance.