Strategic Control and Competitive Academic Performance in Selected Secondary Schools in Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui and Machakos Counties in Kenya

Education plays a critical role in survival of any nation in the globe leading to emphasis on quality outcomes of. Strategic management is a managerial practice that guaranties survival of an organization in modern competitive operating environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of strategy control in competitive academic performance of secondary schools. It was conducted in the counties of Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui and Machakos and informed by stakeholder and contingency theories of strategic management. The study adopted survey research and correlation research designs. The target population was 919 principals of public secondary schools and a sample size of 273 that was determined using survey monkey formula and the schools picked randomly. Quantitative data was gathered using questionnaires and analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Descriptive analysis was done using percentages, mean scores and standard deviations while inferential statistical analysis was undertaken using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and regression models. The findings showed that schools monitored strategic plans to ascertain whether they were on course in the implementation of the strategies. It was concluded that overall strategy control practice has a significant influence on competitive academic performance. It was recommended that strategic management training be extended to all school principals, who should embrace strategy control as the best way of making sure implementation of strategies is on course. Strategy control tools must be customized to the schools unique operating environment for strategy implementers to remain focused. It is further recommended that principals be allowed to complete at least two cycles of strategic management while serving in one school for their strategic management capabilities to be reflected in the academic performance