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Article Title: Overcoming the Causes of Under-Representation of Women in Primary School Leadership in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya
by Catherine Barmao

Abstract:
This paper is based on a study that investigated the factors contributing to under-representation of female teachers to headship positions in Eldoret Municipality. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study, and both quantitative and qualitative techniques were employed. The author employed stratified sampling, simple random and purposive sampling to select 105 respondents comprising 2 Municipal Education Officials (TAC tutors), 8 head teachers, 80 teachers and 15 committee members all from 15 randomly selected public primary schools in the Municipality. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study identified a number of significant factors which were found to influence low participation of female teachers to headship positions and were attributed by lack of support starting from the family to national level and other factors reinforcing each other like, women's dual roles, being undervalued as a result of African culture, societal perception, educational and political interference among others. The study recommends the strengthening of the mentorship system among women teachers to help young female teachers aspiring leadership in future. The findings would help educational institutions in the development of promotion, recruitment and appointment strategies for women aspiring headship positions. The study would also assist educational policy makers to better understand some of the causes of under representations in educational management and find remedies. The findings can also assist female teachers in headship positions to improve on their roles as mentors to other young female teachers in the profession. The study also has policy implications for various institutions in the government on the need to create gender awareness and promote equality in leadership positions.

Keywords: overcoming, causes, under-representation, women, secondary, school, leadership, Eldoret, municipality, Kenya.

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