Abstract:
This study investigated the Principals’ perception of the role of the Catholic Church in the development of secondary school education in Likuyani Sub-County. The study was guided by three research questions which included; to investigate the role of Catholic Church in the development of secondary school education in Likuyani Sub-County; to investigate the principals’ perception of the working relationship between principals the Catholic Church in the development of secondary school education in Likuyani Sub-County; and to investigate the principal’s perception on the challenges faced by the Catholic Churchin the development of secondary school education in Likuyani Sub-County.The researcher used the Mixed Methods Research Design which generated data from the field quantitatively and qualitatively by use of questionnaires and interview guide. Purposive sampling was utilized to select all the 15 Catholic Church sponsored secondary schools in Likuyani Sub-County, 15 Principals and the Catholic Education Secretary, Diocese of Kakamega constituted the sample. Quantitative data obtained from closed-ended questions using the likert-scale was analysed using descriptive statistics in form of percentages and frequency counts. Qualitative datacollected from open-ended questions and interview guides was transcribed and analysed as an ongoing process as themes and subthemes that emerged from the data.The instruments of collecting data were presented to three experts in the Faculty of Education, Kisii University who ascertained their validity.They were also pre-tested by use of the test-retest procedure to ascertain their reliability by correcting any inconsistencies and ambiguities noted. The data collected was subjected to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 for analysis.Findings of this study show that the Catholic Church has played an instrumental role in the spiritual and moral growth of its products. It also found out that the Catholic Church faced financial challenges which handicap the development of secondary school education in Likuyani Sub-County. Inspite of the challenges faced by the Catholic Church in the provision of secondary school education, Principals strongly perceived the Catholic Church positively and recognized it as a major stakeholder in the development of secondary education in Kenya. This study will be of great benefit to education policy makers and stake holders as it will inform them about the Principals’ perception of the role of the Catholic Church in the development of secondary education in Likuyani Sub-County for adoption by the MOEST and sponsoring churches in order to improve the relationship between the two key sakeholders in education provision.The study recommends that the Catholic Church should play a more active role in funding and infrastructural development of her sponsored schools.It also recommends that the two stakeholders should undergo training and teambuilding seminars from time to time in order to synchronise their relationship.
