Assessment of the Application of Participatory Administration, Leadership and Management (Psalm) in the Management of Primary Schools in Kenya A Case Study of Public and Private Primary School in Nairobi Area

Abstract

The study assessed application of participatory schools administration. leadership and management (PSALM) in primary schools in Kenya. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect the data. Purposive sampling was used to select the head teachers of the primary schools, the parents teachers association representatives, the school committee representatives, the teachers and the pupils for the study. Schools were conveniently selected due to accessibility. Data collected was analysed using SSPS and excel software. The study revealed that PSALM has been adopted in primary schools and was being applied though selectively. The study established that there were many challenges faced by school management. This included negative attitudes towards management in schools. Some of the recommendations were that PSALM should be adopted in whole and not in parts. School management should initiate processes to establish why stakeholders have a negative attitude towards them and should initiate a corrective process. The stakeholders should fully participate in initiating, planning and implementing various schools programmes. There should be a high degree of transparency in selection and appointment of persons to the various school committees. Power should be evenly distributed to those who hold various offices to facilitate effective functional processes in the management of schools Management should have autonomy in decision making to enhance progress and school development. The government should continue to invest in quality education for sustainable development. This will continue to maintain an educated and disciplined community. School management review should be carried out on a regular basis to make sure that all stakeholders are kept abreast with current trends in the management of schools.