Guest Editor
Dr. Hoseah Kiplagat,
School of Education, University of Eldoret
Chief Editor
Prof. J. W. Khamasi, EBS,
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Dr. Hoseah Kiplagat,
University of Eldoret, Department of Technology Education
Quality education is critical in developing learners that can contribute positively to their community. The current issue of the Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership (JASEML) presents five articles. The articles demonstrate how school leadership style, school policies, state of guidance and counselling services and school leadership skills can influence learning outcomes in schools in Kenya.
The first article shows a departure from instructional leadership style which has always been exercised by school principals. This style promotes the principal behaviour while ignoring the rest of the school community. This article presents a narrative and experiences of a school principal in Western Kenya who tried pedagogical leadership style. The style involves empowering teachers and students in daily running and improvement of the school. The authors suggest that this style could be input in planning content of future in-service training for school leadership.
Student pregnancy and its implications for teacher training colleges is presented in the second article by Monica Owoko. The paper focused on reviewing literature on learner pregnancy. The author observed that pregnancy is a common phenomenon which should not be ignored. This fact has been attributed to lack of clear school attendance policies. As a result of this, learning institutions and the Ministry of Education should develop and enforce clear and flexible guidelines on student pregnancy.
The third article by Joyce Lugulu and Rachel Nkruma discusses the effects of public primary school head teachers’ leadership skills on Kenya Certificate of Primary Education results. The article reveals how head teachers’ training, learning environment, parental involvement, adequacy of resources, school attendance and poverty levels affect day to day running of schools. The authors observed that head teachers played a key role in influencing the learning outcomes in schools, hence the need for their training on appropriate leadership skills before appointment.
The last article discusses the state of guidance and counselling services in secondary schools in Kenya. The author established that lack of budgetary allocation, lack of trained personnel, cultural beliefs, negative attitude towards guidance and counselling services, lack of administration support among others hindered implementation of guidance and counselling best practices in schools. The author concludes that the implementation of best practices in guidance and counselling would help in establishing good learning environment which leads to quality education.
Monica Owoko
Abstract
Available research indicates that the number of college students becoming pregnant during their studies is likely to increase given the rising age profile of students joining institutions of higher learning. Provision of healthcare for such students is therefore imperative. A substantive number of higher learning institutions give pregnant students a mandatory maternity leave, for about a year. The student mother may be required to commence the year-long leave immediately after one tests pregnant or one can stay on to the end of a given term. Maternity leave in itself is important because it enables the expectant mother to have sufficient rest and to prepare for the coming baby and after birth, provides bonding time for mother and the baby. However, research has shown that a very long maternity leave can interfere with the academic and career goals of the affected women while a very short one is often associated with postpartum depression. To avoid the long leave many college students resort to abortion, which affect their psychological and physical health; eventually affecting their ability to acquire quality education. It is therefore necessary to develop policies that will allow pregnant students complete their studies within the stipulated time while at the same time not encouraging untimely and unplanned pregnancies among college students.
Key words: Maternity leave, Unplanned Pregnancy, Student Mother
Contact: Monica Owoko, St. Paul’s Kibabii Diploma Teachers College, Kenya
To cite this article: Monica Owoko. (2017). Student Pregnancy and Maternity: Implications for Teacher Training Colleges, Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership Vol. 8, pp, 37-2017
Available online July 2017
Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:http://www.kaeam.or.ke
©2017 Kenya Association of Educational Management and Leadership. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Franscisca N. Mbutitia
Abstract
Despite educational commissions recommending the establishment of guidance and counselling services in Kenya since 1976, schools have not fully implemented guidance and counselling programmes. In the year 2001, corporal punishment was banned in Kenyan schools. What alternative did the Government give the teachers? Did the Government take the initiative to prepare the teachers and learners for an environment where there was no corporal punishment? The objective of the study was to establish why the best practices in guidance and counselling services are still not being adopted in Kenyan schools. A qualitative research approach was used based on Social Learning Theory. A survey was conducted among fourth year students who had completed guidance and counselling practicum. Purposive sampling was used and data was collected using interviews, focus group and documents. Data was thematically coded. The study established the challenges faced by the school counsellors as: no offices, negative attitude of the school community towards counselling, culture of caning in the schools, interference from school administrators and no time scheduled for guidance and counselling. The factors identified as hindrances to best practices are: lack of budgetary allocation, lack of trained personnel, cultural beliefs, teachers and students negative attitude towards guidance and counselling services, lack of support from the administrators and the large number of students in school. Best practices in Guidance and Counselling would help the students better understand themselves, accept themselves therefore using their resources fully to contribute positively in technological development.
Key words: Guidance, Counselling, Best practices
Contact: Mbutitia F. N , School of Education, Moi University
To cite this article: Mbutitia F.N. (2017). Assessment of the Effects of Public Primary School Head teachers’ Leadership Skills on the Kenya Certificate of Primary Examination Results, Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership Vol. 8, pp, 58-2017
Available online July 2017
Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:http://www.kaeam.or.ke
©2017 Kenya Association of Educational Management and Leadership. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Monica Owoko
Abstract
Available research indicates that the number of college students becoming pregnant during their studies is likely to increase given the rising age profile of students joining institutions of higher learning. Provision of healthcare for such students is therefore imperative. A substantive number of higher learning institutions give pregnant students a mandatory maternity leave, for about a year. The student mother may be required to commence the year-long leave immediately after one tests pregnant or one can stay on to the end of a given term. Maternity leave in itself is important because it enables the expectant mother to have sufficient rest and to prepare for the coming baby and after birth, provides bonding time for mother and the baby. However, research has shown that a very long maternity leave can interfere with the academic and career goals of the affected women while a very short one is often associated with postpartum depression. To avoid the long leave many college students resort to abortion, which affect their psychological and physical health; eventually affecting their ability to acquire quality education. It is therefore necessary to develop policies that will allow pregnant students complete their studies within the stipulated time while at the same time not encouraging untimely and unplanned pregnancies among college students.
Key words: Maternity leave, Unplanned Pregnancy, Student Mother
Contact: Monica Owoko, St. Paul’s Kibabii Diploma Teachers College, Kenya
To cite this article: Monica Owoko. (2017). Student Pregnancy and Maternity: Implications for Teacher Training Colleges, Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership Vol. 8, pp, 37-2017
Available online July 2017
Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:http://www.kaeam.or.ke
©2017 Kenya Association of Educational Management and Leadership. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED