Influence of Strategic Leadership Management on Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

This study sought to establish influence of strategic leadership management on students’ academic performance in Public Secondary Schools in Kathiani Sub-County of Machakos County. The study was guided by the following objective; to assess the influence of strategic leadership management on students’ academic performance. Descriptive survey design was employed by this study. The study used questionnaires to collect data. The study targeted 1,240 students, 224 teachers, and 31principals. Stratified and simple random sampling technique were used to select 11 Principals, 76 teachers and 422 students. Quantitative data was collected using the questionnaires and while qualitative data was collected through interview guides. The data was descriptively analyzed using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation test analysis with the help of SPSS Version 24 and presented using tables and charts. The coefficient of determination was conducted to measure how well the statistical model was likely to forecast future outcomes. Findings show that of the four independent variables contribute 34% of students’ academic performance. This means that this study did not focus on other factor that contribute to 66% of the students’ academic performance. The researcher further carried out a multiple regression analysis so as to identify the influence of the independent variables on students’ academic performance. From the regression coefficient, strategic resource allocation (p=0.000) and vision setting (p=0.000) were found to have a significant relationship with the dependent variable (students’ academic performance) as its p-value was below 0.05 while objective setting p=0.037 and strategic leadership (p=0.079) were found to have an insignificant relationship with the dependent variable as their p-values were above 0.05 Qualitative data from open ended questions was analyzed using thematic analysis while qualitative data from interview guides was presented in form of narratives. The findings of this study established insignificant relationship between strategic leadership management and students’ academic performance (p-value=0.080). The study concluded that; the principal should work with the teachers and other stakeholders to ensure that the syllabus is covered in a timely manner so that the students are not disadvantaged. The study recommended principals should motivate teachers who perform well in their subjects through commending them for their good work and ministry of education should reinforce the implementation of strategic Plans in all public secondary schools with intensive monitoring and supervision.