Headteachers’ Perception of Their Roles in Secondary Schools in Kenya: A Study of Kericho Day Secondary School in Kericho County

Abstract

The purpose of this study was an internship programme to assess the perception of the head teachers towards their changing roles in secondary schools. The objective was to “shadow” the principal of Kericho Day Secondary School in order to assess their perceived and actual roles. The study utilised descriptive method of research. The sampling design adopted was mainly purposive sampling. Interview guide, document analysis and observation were the bases of getting information. It was found that the principal’s day is simply a reflection of Fullan’s (1991) statement that the role of the principal has become dramatically more complex, overloaded, and unclear over the past decade. This is because their ideal roles are far removed from the actual roles.