ANALYZING PERCEIVED EFFECTIVENESS OF STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ON INTERNAL EFFICIENCY OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Strategic plan implementation is paramount in ensuring that internal efficiency is achieved in the education sector worldwide. Therefore, the study sought to analyze the perceived effectiveness of strategic plan implementation on the internal efficiency of public secondary schools in Mombasa County. It was addressed by the following objectives: analyze the perceived role of mission and vision on strategic plan implementation on the internal efficiency of public secondary schools, examine the role of strategic resource mobilization, establish the role of resource utilization, determine the effect of stakeholder engagement, and assess the role of monitoring and evaluation of strategic plan implementation on the internal efficiency of public secondary schools in Mombasa County. The Resource-Based theory and Education Production Function theory guided the study. The study adopted a Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods design where data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Stratified systematic random sampling techniques were used in the study. Principals, teachers and BOM chairpersons formed the population with 134 respondents forming the sample. The instruments were validated through expert reviews as factor analysis, t-tests and pilots were conducted. Three schools were stratified into categories with 12 respondents participating in the pilot study. Reliability in this research was determined. Tests such as t-tests, correlation, ANOVA, and regression analyses were conducted during analysis. Descriptive statistics in the form of mean, variability such as standard deviation and variance were applied. The data was then presented in tables, graphs, pie charts and percentages. The study findings indicated that although many schools had developed strategic plans, some were partially implemented, and others not implemented at all. The study revealed that the government and parents play a key role in resource provision. These resources were moderately utilized by institutions. Meaningful engagement of stakeholders and continuous monitoring and evaluation formed an integral part in ensuring strategic plan implementation and the realization of internal efficiency. The results obtained through correlation and regression show that mission and vision, resource mobilization, resource utilization, stakeholder engagement and monitoring and evaluation significantly affect internal efficiency. Stakeholder engagement in strategic plan implementation contributed the most to achieving internal efficiency, followed by strategic resource mobilization. Therefore, when other factors are held constant, for every unit change in the independent variables, the internal efficiency increases. This indicated that there are strong relationships established. The government and parents were the main financiers of all the school projects stated in the strategic plans. It was also established that there are other factors associated with low academic performance and low completion rates in public secondary schools apart from strategic resource mobilization, resource utilization, and stakeholder engagement. The study provides useful information that may make it easy for education stakeholders to address challenges of strategic plan implementation and the realization of internal efficiency. As a recommendation, the study provides a base for policymakers to inform and formulate policies on applying strategic planning in improving the internal efficiencies of public secondary schools in