An Examination on Perceptions of Student Governance Council Communication Skills Necessary in the Governance of Public Secondary Schools within Bondo Sub-county in Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

Student governing council skills has been an issue of concern in school administration. Much research has centered on the need for training the student governing council in secondary school administration without adequately identifying the needed skills to address school administration challenges that are reducing tension in the school, which may lead to student unrest and, consequently, the destruction of school property. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the training needs of the student governing council (SGC) in public secondary schools. This examination of skills needed will determine a deficit in performance and determine the training needs of the student council so that SGC could be equipped with the necessary skills to enhance their competency to accomplish their roles (Bhasin, 2021). The objectives of the study were to:

• Establish the existence of a student governance council in public secondary schools, and
• Examine perceptions on SGC communication skills necessary in public secondary school governance

The theoretical framework that guided the study was functional Leadership theory. The study adopted a case study design, and the target population was 1729 respondents, while the sample size included:

• 6 principals,
• 6 deputy principals,
• 12 class teachers and
• 127 student council leaders

The sample of the study for principals and deputy principals was selected by use of purposive sampling from the sample schools. Class teachers were selected by random sampling, and student council leaders were selected by random sampling. Data collection tools were questionnaires for principals, questionnaires for deputy principals, questionnaires for student council leaders, interviews for principals and deputy principals, and focus group discussions for class teachers. The researcher used the test-retest method for the test for validity and reliability. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, which included frequencies, percentages, and means as measures of central tendency, and the analyzed data were presented in charts and tables. The Respondents indicated a high need for training in these skills to improve school governance. The study concluded that communication skills are essential in the student council as they aid the student council representatives in carrying out their mandate, which includes linking the students with the school administration. Lobbying skills, negotiation skills, consensus-building skills, handling of difficult and training on how to handle students with disabilities were highly regarded for training.