Influence of School Boards on the Students’ Academic Performance: a Case of Catholic Secondary Schools in Mbulu Diocese

This study investigated the influence of school boards on students’ academic performance in Catholic secondary schools in Mbulu Diocese. Objectives guided the study were: to assess the influence of skills level of board members on performance of the school in Catholic secondary schools in Mbulu Diocese; analyse the influence of appointment procedures of board members on performance of the school in Catholic secondary schools in Mbulu Diocese; assess the activeness of board members in influencing performance of the school in Catholic secondary schools in Mbulu Diocese and lastly, assess the best ways in which the school boards can be effective in managing the catholic secondary schools in Mbulu diocese.The study employed descriptive survey. Data were gathered using questionnaires and in-depth interview. Data were coded and analysed using percentages and frequencies. Findings were summarized into tables, and analysis was aided by SPSS. The study reveals that possession of secondary level of education board members had skills that influenced positively the different activities in the school such as planning, management, ethical issues, fund raising and development of infrastructure that influence learning environment, which in turn have leads to students' performance. Also the study revealed that board members were selected transparently based on procedures set by the ministry of education and vocational training and board members were actively engaging themselves in board meetings made several contributions including giving out their ideas on how better the school could perform. Lastly, motivation, training and empowerment in school decision were recommended as ways to improve the school board performance in Mbulu diocese. Recommendations for the study are attached