RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

When private players invest in secondary education, they expect excellence in performance in terms of teaching and learning and related results though they may fail in certain instances. Private secondary schools’ management failures are due to several issues. This study focused at identifying the relevant challenges limiting academic performance in schools. The study employed a qualitative research approach and case study design. Questionnaires, semistructured interviews, and focus group discussions were used to obtain data from school managers, school board members, and heads of schools, teachers, and students in secondary schools. The study used data from 48 purposively sampled participants across 4 secondary schools, and documentary reviews. Thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the data. The findings show that the schools’ management systems’ performances are hindered by several factors, among others poor management capacities and teacher remuneration schemes, and financial bottlenecks. Improvements are recommended for school managements to secure and sustain school funds, recruit and retain good quality teachers, and monitor teachers’ professional ethics.

Management Challenges, Management Failures, Private secondary schools, School Management Systems