Role of church sponsors in the management of public secondary schools in Tigania West, Meru county.

Church sponsors were the main developers and providers of education, institutions hence owned giving them the significant roles in the management of these schools. However, changes in Education Act 211 over time have brought some misunderstanding between church sponsors, community, teachers and the governments. Some sponsors have been accused of interfering with schools by closing them down. In other instances, some have rejected and even evicted principals posted to the schools by the Ministry of Education. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of church sponsor in management of public schools in Tigania West Meru County. The rationale for this study is to access reasons for misunderstanding and suggest some solutions accordingly. This study is significant to the Kenya Government, church sponsors, and school principals, teaching staffs, parents and students to help them address future problems which may arise with time. The objectives of the study were to investigate the role of the church sponsors in the management of public secondary schools and to find out the underlying reasons for misunderstanding between the church sponsors and the school principals. The study employed stratified random sampling method and used systematic sampling method for the homogenous group. Data was collected using a questionnaire for descriptive survey and the techniques used to analyze the data was tabulated and presented in the graphs and pie charts. The study found out that the sponsor needs to continue sitting in the school management board as provided by the ministry of education act. It is also found that church sponsors representatives in the management reduces mismanagement of resources and student discipline. The study concludes that the primary course of misunderstanding is role conflict due to misinterpretation of education policies and Education Acts. The study recommends that Education Management and policy instruments should be amended to give sponsors more powers in management of schools. The study also recommends active sensitization and awareness creation of each stakeholder’s role, and jurisdiction. The study recommends further study on the effects conflict resolution mechanism to solve sponsor management related conflict which would also address the conflict of interest arising in church sponsored management relationship