Strategic planning in secondary schools in Rangwe sub-county, Kenya: Influence on student learning outcomes.

This study examines the extent of policy implementation on strategic planning in secondary schools in Rangwe sub-county, Kenya, involving all 41 schools and their principals and deputy principals. Findings reveal that only 48.8% of these schools had developed strategic plans, with most plans established between 3 to 10 years ago, indicating partial but incomplete policy adoption since Kenya's 2003 mandate requiring strategic planning in public institutions. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between strategic planning and student learning outcomes; however, the influence was negative, suggesting that ineffective development or implementation of strategic plans may hinder performance. The study highlights a persistent gap between policy formulation and implementation in Kenyan secondary schools and recommends further research to explore barriers to full adoption and to compare performance outcomes between schools with and without strategic plans.