Browsing by Author "STEPHEN ANJERU"

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    EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTED PRINCIPALS’ INITIATED PROGRAMS IN ENHANCING TEENAGE MOTHERS' RETENTION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NYALI SUB-COUNTY, MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA
    (THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA, 2025-01) STEPHEN ANJERU
    The study examined the effectiveness of selected principal- initiated programs in enhancing teenage mothers’ retention in public secondary schools in Nyali sub-county, Mombasa county, Kenya. It was guided by four research questions: What programs have principals initiated to support the retention of teenage mothers? How do these programs enhance retention? To what extent do principals engage parents in these programs? What additional interventions can principals implement to involve stakeholders in retention efforts? The study was grounded on Emile Durkheim's Social Integration Theory. It employed a mixed methods research approach using a convergent parallel design. Both descriptive crosssectional and phenomenological research approaches were integrated. Sampling techniques included stratified random, simple random, systematic random, and purposive sampling. The target population comprised 1,750 Form Three and Four students, principals, SCDE and 265 teachers across seven public secondary schools. The sample included 165 students, 131 teachers, four principals, and one sub-county director of education. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, in-depth interview guides, and focus group discussion guides. Instrument reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha for quantitative tools, and member checking, triangulation, and peer review for qualitative tools. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic methods. Findings revealed that principals have implemented initiatives such as healthcare assistance, counselling, reintegration policies, and flexible timetables to support teenage mothers. However, parent engagement varied, and stakeholder involvement needed strengthening. The study concluded that while principal-initiated programs are essential for retaining teenage mothers in school, sustained parental involvement and broader community collaboration are vital for achieving long-term success. Strengthening stakeholder engagement and addressing systemic challenges will ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives. Recommendations included standardizing retention programs across schools, enhancing parent engagement through workshops, improving teacher preparation, and forming partnerships with local stakeholders.