Effect Of Head Teachers' Turnover On Pupils’ Academic Performance In Public Primary Schools In Turbo Sub-County, Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Despite the existence of head teacher’s turnover in primary schools, many studies have concentrated on instructor turnover and ignored the effects of school leadership change on school performance. This study investigated the influence of head teacher’s turnover on pupils’ academic performance in public primary schools in Turbo Sub-County. The specific objectives were to; determine the causes of Head teachers’ turnover, investigate the effect of head teacher turnover on teacher performance, investigate the effect of head teacher turnover on pupils’ academic performance and find out the strategies put in place to reduce Head teachers’ turnover. The study was guided by the Hertzberg’s motivation- hygiene theory of job satisfaction. This study adopted descriptive survey design and targeted 684 teachers and 85 head teachers. The sample size for this study is based on Krejcie and Morgan formula where 246 teachers and 26 Head teachers was used. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. Research instruments were availed to supervisors to test validity while test-retest method was used to test the reliability of the instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies and percentages while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Pearson Correlation analysis was computed to establish relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Results of the study were presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. The study found out that the head teachers’ turnover was mostly caused by poor pay, poor working conditions and high workload. There was a statistically significant relationship between head teacher’s turnover and teacher performance. Further, there was a significant correlation between head teachers’ turnover and pupils’ academic performance. Among the strategies of reducing head teachers’ turnover were; openness in promoting teachers, increased pay for head teachers, involvement of teachers in decision making process and better housing for Head teachers. It was recommended that education stakeholders need to reduce on school related factors which influence teachers’ turnover. Strategies which enhance head teachers’ retention in schools need to be put in place. The policy makers at the Ministry of Education will get useful insight on issue of Head teachers’ turnover and perhaps get data on other ways of motivating and retaining Head teachers.