Impact of High Teacher Turnover on Sustainability of Seventh-Day Adventist Secondary Schools in Western Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the impact of high teacher turnover on the sustainability of SDA secondary schools in the West Kenya Conference of Seventh Day Adventist Church. The study was underpinned by sustainability transformation in education theory which postulates the identification of sustainability strategies and action plans for implementation. The mixed methods research approach was adopted in this study. This study utilized the descriptive research design and was conducted in WKUC of the SDA church which covers a total of 15 out of 47 counties in Kenya. The population of the study included 159 teachers, 2085 students in 11 schools, and 11 principals. The sample size comprised 11 schools and 113 teachers, and 6 Directors of Education. The validity and reliability of the research instruments was ascertained. The test-retest and the split-half reliability were ascertained by use of the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient, and reliability of 0.7 and 0.65 was arrived at, respectively. Study findings revealed that Student enrolment trends in SD. Schools were on a downward trend, and this needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The reasons that were cited for the low enrolment trends include; the high school fees charged by the schools, the negative perception of church members and the general public on SDA schools, and the quality of education provided, among others. This low enrolment of students led to the institutions suffering from limited financial resources. This later affected the payment of teachers. This made the teachers move to government schools where teachers are employed by the Teachers Service Commission, which has better terms of service than what the individual schools offer. Among the recommendations given were; the church administration and schools’ management should address issues that affect low student enrolments, such as the high fees charged by sourcing funds from other sources such as engaging in income-generating activities or partnering with the government so that the government can provide teachers to the schools, sensitize its members to take their children to SDA schools in order to boost their enrolment and endear church members and the public at large to change their perception of SDA schools through proper branding and serious marketing and advertisement.