Abstract:

One of the roles of a headteacher is to promote students’ academic performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivational strategies used by secondary school headteachers in academic achievement in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in Vihiga district in Western province. The study was occasioned by continued poor performance by most secondary schools in Vihiga district. Literature revealed that the headteacher provides professional leadership for quality and improved standards of learning. The population of the study comprised 84 headteachers and 1,280 teachers. Saturated sampling technique was used to select a sample from the high and average performing schools, while stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample from the low performing schools. The sample comprised a total of 44 headteachers and 352 teachers from 7 high performing schools, 17 average performing schools and 20 low performing schools. Data were collected by use of questionnaires, in-depth interviews and document analysis guide instruments. A pilot study was conducted in two secondary schools which were not in the sample to test the reliability of the instruments. Data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The findings show that headteachers in Vihiga district, Kenya, use strategies such as: rewards, guiding, and counseling to motivate teachers. It is recommended that headteachers enhance teacher motivation in order to achieve good academic results.

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