Re-Examining Student Leadership: The Role of School Culture in Shaping Student Council Effectiveness in Public Boys’ Secondary Schools in Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

Student councils’ effectiveness remains a persistent governance concern in secondary schools globally, with notable variation across institutions. This study examined the influence of school culture on the effectiveness of student councils in public boys’ secondary schools in Siaya County, Kenya. Anchored in Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s Social Systems Theory, the study targeted 16 deputy principals, the Siaya County Director of Education, 320 student council leaders, and 9,684 ordinary students. A sample comprising 14 deputy principals, 178 student council leaders, 370 ordinary students, and the County Director of Education was drawn using purposive, proportionate, stratified, and simple random sampling techniques. Employing a mixed methods approach within a convergent parallel design, the study collected data through questionnaires and interview schedules. Piloting was conducted in two schools. Instrument validity was established through expert judgment, while reliability testing using Cronbach’s Alpha produced an average coefficient of 0.75. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22.0 through descriptive and inferential statistics, with results presented in tables. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed and presented narratively with verbatim excerpts. Findings revealed that school culture significantly influenced student council effectiveness, particularly through relationships between student council members and teachers, student involvement in decision making, adherence to school rules and routines, and understanding of the school’s mission, vision, and core values. The study concluded that although school culture influences student council effectiveness, the influence is weak. It recommends strengthening of relations with SC members and teachers, student involvement in decision making, respect for school rules and routine and knowledge of the school mission vision and core values as measures of enhancing the effectiveness of student councils in schools.