IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 25, Issue 6, Series 9 (June. 2020) 32-39 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2506093239 www.iosrjournals.org 32 |Page Extent of Student Participation in Management of School Curriculum in Secondary Schools in Tharaka-Nithi and Nairobi Counties, Kenya KagendoDinah Alexander 1 , George Onyango 2 & Dorothy Kyalo 3 1&2 Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, Kenyatta University 3 School of Continuing and ExternalStudies, University of Nairobi CorrespondingAuthor: KagendoDinah Alexander Abstract: Student participation in management of the secondary schools they attend is construed to include aspects of school curriculum management. The main objective of this study was to determine the extent to which student participate in management of school curriculum in secondary schools. The study employed mixed method design, specifically triangulation method. Stratified random sampling, simple random sampling, purposive and convenience sampling were used in drawing the samples. The Krejcie and Morgan‟s table for determining large sample size was used to determine the sample size of students. The sample consisted of 38 secondary schools, 38 head teachers, 293 teachers, 753 students, 72 student leaders and 24 parents. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, interview guide and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide. Content validity was determined by seeking expert judgement from educational management. Cronbach's alpha was used to establish the reliability of the instruments. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data were organized into themes and presented using descriptions and quotations. The study found that the extent of student participation in selection of the subject to study was high. Moderate levels of student participation in decision making were found in areas of setting academic targets, nature of assignments, and number of internal examinations while there were low levels of student participation in drawing the school programme and grading system.The study concluded that, on average student participation in management of school curriculum was moderate. The study therefore recommends that the Ministry of Education should provide a policy on student representation in the Parents‟ Associa tions, staff meetings and any other important committees in schools that deals with matters of school curriculum. Secondary school managements should actively involve students in all areas decision-making under school curriculum. Keywords: Student participation, Management, School curriculum, Secondaryschool, Extent --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 10-06-2020 Date of Acceptance: 28-06-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. INTRODUCTION One of the four core principles that should guide the implementation of the right to education is the right of children to express their views in all matters affecting them and for their views to be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity. 1 Most countries that are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, (UNCRC) have made statutory provisions for children to participate in decision- making and some have developed structures that represent the views of students at various levels. 2 These include countries in Europe 3 such as Norway, France 4 , Sweden, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland 5 , Finland 6 where schools establish Student Councils through which they voice their views on matters that affect them. Closer home in South Africa, it is a requirement of the law that every public school should establish a governing body which should include learners‟ representatives from the eighth grade or higher. It makes provision for a representative Council of learners in each ordinary public school that offers instruction in the eighth grade or higher. 4, 7 This arrangement, however, presumes that the children of lower grades do not need to be heard or even be represented in the student governments. It is noted that Tanzania was one of the first African countries to provide for student participation in decision-making in the schools through representation in decision-making committees. The schools have Councils whose membership and functions are specified in the National Policy on School Councils. 4 Student Council is therefore viewed as a vehicle through which students participate in decision-making at school. Many researchers have advanced arguments in favour of student participation in decision-making on matters affecting them in the schools they attend. 8, 9, 10