School governance and sustainable quality education in public schools in Kenya

Abstract

School governance plays a critical role in shaping the sustainable quality education in public schools in Kenya. Governance at all levels of education management influences decision-making processes, policy formulation and implementation, and prudent utilization of resources, leading to the achievement of infrastructural development and learners' learning outcomes. However, the quality of education has fluctuated over time under various leadership in the education sector, as well as school management. The study investigated the influence of school governance on sustainable quality education in public schools in Kenya. The objectives of the study included; examining the relationship between transparency, accountability, stakeholders’ engagement, inclusivity and sustainable quality education in public schools. The study was anchored on the systems theory. Document analysis and qualitative methods were adopted. Qualitative analysis involved thematic analysis of recurring issues relating to school governance and sustainable quality education. The research findings revealed that schools experienced challenges in school governance practices such as transparency, accountability, stakeholders' engagement, and inclusivity, thereby affecting sustainable quality education. The study findings also affirmed that good governance practices by school management help sustain quality learning outcomes of the learners. The research findings further attribute governance challenges in schools to a lack of management of their roles as outlined in governance practices, which include transparency, accountability and stakeholders’ engagements. The study recommended that governance principles be integrated with the roles of school leaders to address sustainable quality education in public schools. It further recommended strengthening the capacity-building of school leaders on good governance practices in public schools.