Challenges in The Decentralization of Recruitment and Selection of Teachers in Kenyan Secondary Schools: A Case of Gucha District

Abstract

Decentralization of teacher recruitment and selection in Kenya was as a result of World Bank/IMF policies, which support projects that guarantee direct net economic returns by productivity and indirect returns on externalities.  The approach has been used as a way of improving service delivery. This strategy that has been successful elsewhere may not necessarily be appropriate for Kenya.  Any meaningful interventions in Kenya ought to be based on research data from within the countries education system. This paper is based on a research that was conducted in Gucha district in the year 2010. The study sought to assess decentralized approach process and examined the challenges faced in the application of the approach in secondary teacher recruitment and selection. Arising from the descriptive survey research analysis and interpretation is that despite the crucial role decentralized approach play in Secondary teacher recruitment and selection, there are still some negative aspects that hinder the applicability and implementation of the approach. It was noted that, the approach has led to better staffing in rural remote schools, equity and equality in employment leading to community development and high rate of teacher trainee absorption in the employment sector. However, very little attention is paid to competence of the BOG/PTA, adequate funds, corruption, political interference and teacher performance that challenge the efficiency and effectiveness of the approach. Consequently, this paper recommends that capacity building be incorporated to the BOG/PTA members for empowerment; increase of funds set aside by the government for recruitment to increase teacher absorption rate for adequate and equal distribution; streamline decentralized approach to give it a national outlook and supervision of the exercise by professionals for sustainable development in Kenya.

Keywords: Decentralization, Teacher, Recruitment, Selection and Challenges