Decentralization of school management to boards of governors in secondary schools in Kenya: a case of Trans-Nzoia County

The concept of decentralization of school management to Boards of Governors was adopted by the Teachers Service Commission in an attempt to infuse community participation in the administration of schools. It has also been proposed as the solution to challenges facing the education sector including eliminating government bureaucracy, increasing efficiency and accountability, and improving the quality and relevance of education. In this study we attempt to explore the impact of decentralization of educational services to Boards of Governors on the management of secondary schools in Kenya. The study utilized qualitative data collected from twenty public secondary schools in Trans-Nzoia County, where the views and experiences of school principals on school management by boards were sought. This article reports that while decentralization has many positive aspects, it also has numerous demerits that need to be remedied. It particularly recommends the genuine professionalization of the composition of the boards. The implications of the findings are considered within the wider context of management of education in Kenya.