| dc.description.abstract | Performance contracting is one of the management tools used to elevate learning of
learners in public learning institutions. Principals of public secondary schools sign
performance contracts with their employer (TSC) at the start of the year with key
intention being to improve academic performance of schools. However, the academic
performance of learners has dwindled between 2019 and 2023 in public secondary
schools in Kalama Sub County, Machakos County in Kenya. This study therefore was
analysing principal’s performance contracting and its effect on the academic
performance of students in secondary schools in Kalama Sub County, Machakos
County, Kenya. The study was guided by four specific research objectives which
include: to examine effects of implementation of work plan by principals, principal’s
supervision, principal’s training and motivation of principals on the academic
performance of students in secondary schools in Kalama Sub County, Machakos
County, Kenya. The study was guided by the goal setting theory. The study adopted
descriptive survey research design. The study was a census of all 33 principals from
public secondary schools in Kalama Sub County, Machakos County. Data was
collected using questionnaires which was distributed through drop and pick method.
Qualitative data from open ended questions in the questionnaires was analysed
thematically through content analysis and presented in descriptive statements.
Quantitative data was keyed in to a SPSS analysis software (Version 29.0) to elicit both
descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive data was analysed using percentage,
mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistics was analysed using multiple linear
regression model at 95 percent confidence level to determine whether there is
relationship between principals’ performance contracting and academic performance of
secondary schools in Kalama Sub County, Machakos County, Kenya. The study
findings indicated that all aspects of the process of performance contracting which
include implementation of operational work plan by principals, supervision of
principals, training of principals and motivation of principals had significant positive
effect on the academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Kalama
Sub County, Machakos County, Kenya. The study recommends that there should be
training to the principals and BOM on policy guidelines and on how they can manage
school resources prudently to achieve success of the school and MOE should train both
principals and BOM on how to prepare operational and strategic plan and how to
implement them effectively. Secondly, QASOs, CSO and other field officers need to
be facilitated in order to monitor schools and how teachers prepare professional
documents, management of learners’ discipline and classroom attendance. Lastly, there
should be a proper system for rewarding any outstanding performance among teachers
in schools. | en_US |
