Junior Secondary School Administrative Management and Achievement of Competence Based Curriculum Core Competencies in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya

The study investigated influence of junior secondary school administrative management on achievement of competence-based curriculum (CBC) core competencies in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. Junior secondary schools (JSS) in Kenya are all domiciled in primary schools. The existing primary schools and junior secondary schools form comprehensive schools comprising: Early childhood education and development (ECDE), primary schools and junior secondary schools all under the same administrative management. The ministry of education Kenya emphasizes development of practical skills, knowledge and core competences in learners’ reallife situation in all comprehensive schools. However, junior secondary school administrative management is insufficiently implemented; rising concern on acquisition of core competences by JSS learners in Kenyan comprehensive schools. The objective of the study was to determine influence of junior secondary school administrative management on learners’ achievement of CBC core competencies in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. It involved 367 respondents selected from 8000 study population using purposive and simple random techniques. The study employed descriptive design. The study respondents were: Junior secondary school teachers, comprehensive school head teachers and junior secondary school learners. The research tools utilized were questionnaires for junior secondary school teachers, comprehensive school head teachers and junior secondary school learners. Inferential data was analyzed using Pearson Chi-square test. The study established that junior secondary school administrative management had statistical significant influence on learners’ achievement of competence-based curriculum core competencies in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. Following study findings, the researcher concluded that junior secondary school administrative management is a valuable element in learners’ achievement of competence-based curriculum core competencies in Kenya. Therefore, the researcher recommended that ministry of education should promote effective junior secondary school administrative management for proper learners’ achievement of competence-based curriculum core competencies in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya.