An Evaluation of Secondary School Principals’ Leadership Roles and Student Participation in Sporting Activities in Nyandarua County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of secondary school principals’ leadership roles in development of students’ non-academic talents in Nyandarua County Kenya. Specifically, this study sought to establish the influence of secondary school principals’ leadership roles on students’ participation in sporting activities in Nyandarua County; whether there a relationship between secondary school principals’ leadership role of preparing school calendar of events and development of learners’ non-academic talents in Nyandarua County; and whether there is a relationship between secondary school principals’ leadership role of guiding and counseling and development of learners’ non-academic talents in Nyandarua County. Survey research design was used while quantitative research strategy was used in this study. The target population comprised of 185 principals from 185 secondary schools in Nyandarua County. Questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample of principals. Stratified random sampling technique was used toarrive at the sample for this study. Data was analysed using paired t-tests with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while results were presented in Tables. The study revealed that development of learners’ non-academic talents was being affected by inadequate training for the principals and lack of recognition of students who excel in non-academic talents. The study recommended that secondary school education policy makers, MOE officials, principals and teachers give development of learners’ non-academic talents as much emphasis as the academic talents development. Key Words: Non-academic, Talent, Co-curricular activities, Role, Leadership.