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.
