INFLUENCE OF SELECTED PERSONAL AND SCHOOL FACTORS ON THE LEVELS OF STRESS AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Occupational stress is increasing due to changes in every sector of economy, all professions and all categories of workers, as well as schools and societies. As a result it has become an issue of great concern in the administration of the schools and education institutions. There is little evidence of research on influence of stress among the school administrators in Nakuru County, Kenya. Therefore, this study will investigate the influence of selected personal and school factors on the level of stress among secondary school administrators. The study will use the descriptive research design. The target population will be 1200 respondents who consist of 400 secondary school principals, 400 deputy principals, and 400 senior teachers. A sample of 588 will be selected using purposive and proportionate stratified random sampling. The sample will consist of 196 principals, 196 deputy principals and 196 senior teachers. The study will use questionnaires to collect the data. A pilot study will be conducted in Nyandarua County in three secondary schools. The validity will be determined by consulting the supervisors and other experts in the School of Education, Laikipia University. The data obtained through the pilot study will be used to determine the reliability of the research instrument. The reliability coefficient will be determined using the Cronbach alpha and a value of at least 0.7 is acceptable. Data analysis will use both descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of SPSS version 24. Hypotheses will be tested using ANOVA and t –test at .05 level of significance. The study findings will be important in the improvement of the schools performance within Nakuru County. The study findings will be significant to the Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission, in assisting the school administrators with policy formulation that can reduce their amount of stress and hence improve on the school performance.