NAME OF THE INSTITUTION: MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY

NAME:
REGISTRATION NUMBER: MED/2023/58938
SCHOOL: SCHOOLOF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT; DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT AND
CURRICULUM STUDIES
PROGRAM: MASTERS
UNIT CODE: MEM5226
UNIT NAME: STRATEGIC PLANNING IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT: CAT ONE AND TWO
LECTURERS NAME:
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 22/02/2024

CAT 1

1. A. MANY PEOPLE IN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS USE MONITORING

AND EVALUATION INTERCHANGEABLY. USING RELEVANT EXAMPLES,
CLEARLY DISTINGUISH BETWEEN MONITORING AND EVALUATION (10
MARKS)

ANSWER:

Monitoring is the systematic gathering and analysis of data and information to track
progress, evaluate performance, and ensure that operations are carried out as intended. It
focuses on the continuous process of observing and documenting actions, outputs, and
results in order to detect any deviations from the intended direction while evaluation is an
impartial review of a project’s efficiency, relevance, and impact. It entails examining
facts and evidence to establish the extent to which objectives were met, results were
realized, and the expected benefits were seen.
Monitoring is often done during the course of a project or program to provide real-time
feedback and allow for rapid adjustments if necessary while evaluation is conducted at certain
milestones or at the end of a project or program to offer a full assessment of its success and assist
decision-making for future planning and improvement efforts.
Nature and Timing:
Monitoring:
It entails regular observation, and documentation of actions, outputs, and results as they occur.
For example, in a school if the administration decides to try and implement new teaching styles
and methods, they will need to monitor by taking time to observe if it can fit in that particular
environment and if it can lead to the results they are expecting to have.
Evaluation
Evaluation is a systematic process that occurs at specific milestones or at the conclusion of a
project or program.
It involves assessing the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and impact of the project as a
whole, typically using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data. In the case of
evaluation in this particular school you see if it after implementing a different teaching method if
the results are good and if people have come to be comfortable with it and also learn the
weaknesses and strength that have been faced so as to improve the weaknesses.
Purpose:
Monitoring:
The primary purpose of monitoring is to provide real-time feedback and facilitate timely
adjustments or interventions.
It aims to ensure that the project is on track, objectives are being met, and resources are being
utilized efficiently.
We take the same example of trying different study and teaching methods if for example a
subject like science and history they have decided to use e learning they need to make sure
resources channeled like the screens and projectors are used for learning purpose and not
students’ entertainment.
Evaluation
The primary purpose of evaluation is to determine the extent to which project objectives have
been achieved, outcomes have been realized, and whether the intended benefits have been
delivered.
It aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the project's success, strengths, weaknesses,
and areas for improvement.
In this case the school need to see if e learning has helped the students in creating visual memory
and being able to study things like map with an actual idea of what they are studying. This will
help the school to see if they can implement another idea or increase the number of subjects this
method will be used to teach.
Scope:
Monitoring:
Monitoring is often limited to short-term indicators such as inputs, activities, outputs, and
immediate results.
It entails gathering data on many areas of the project's execution, such as attendance,
participation rates, task completion, and service delivery.
In a school things like attendance of the classes are looked at so that it can be used for
evaluation.
Evaluation:
Evaluation has a broader scope than monitoring, with an emphasis on both short- and long-term
results and repercussions.
It entails evaluating the project's overall efficacy in meeting its goals and objectives, as well as
its viability and potential for scale or replication.
This is where they look at how the idea helped in meeting maybe the subjects target mark and
raising low learning students’ ability to understand more.
In conclusion, monitoring focuses on tracking progress and ensuring implementation fidelity
throughout a project, evaluation involves assessing the overall effectiveness and impact of the
initiative to inform decision-making and future planning. Both monitoring and evaluation are
essential for effective project management in educational organizations.

B. ASSUMING THAT YOU ARE A PRINCIPAL OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL, AND

YOU ARE PROPOSING A PROJECT TO BOARD OF MANAGEMENT. CONVINCE
THE BOARD WHY REVIEWS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PROJECT. (10
MARKS)

Dear Members of the Board of Management

I'm writing to request that regular project reviews be included as part of our secondary school's
planned efforts. As principle, I strongly feel that implementing systematic reviews into our
project planning and implementation process is crucial for various reasons, which are stated
below:
1. Accountability and Transparency:
The inclusion of reviews in project planning and implementation demonstrates accountability
and transparency, fostering trust and confidence among stakeholders and promoting a transparent
culture within the school community. By openly evaluating our progress and achievements, we
demonstrate our readiness to hold ourselves accountable for the efficient use of resources and
attainment of our objectives.
 2. identifying Challenges and Opportunities:
Project evaluations help us discover potential challenges and opportunities during the
implementation phase. By examining the data and input received during reviews, we can identify
areas that require further assistance, resources, or revisions to overcome challenges and optimize
the impact of our project:
3. Checking up on progress:
Regular reviews enable real-time assessment of project progress by collecting and analyzing data
on project metrics. This allows early identification of deviations from planned actions and
prompt corrective measures to ensure the achievement of goals and objectives.
4. Good quality:
Regular reviews are critical to ensure the quality and efficacy of our projects. They enable us to
evaluate the outcomes and outputs of our actions, allowing us to make more informed judgments
about strategy refinement, practice improvement, and program quality enhancement.
5. Involving staff and stakeholders
Project reviews offer valuable opportunities for engaging with key stakeholders like teachers,
students, parents, and community members. By soliciting their feedback, we can gain insights
into the impact of our projects and identify ways to better meet their needs and expectations.
6. Identification of challenges and opportunities:
Project reviews help identify challenges and opportunities in implementation by analyzing data
and feedback. They help pinpoint areas needing additional support, resources, or adjustments to
overcome obstacles and maximize the impact of initiatives, ensuring a smoother implementation
process.
In conclusion regular project reviews are crucial for the success, effectiveness, and sustainability
of initiatives. They help identify challenges and opportunities, engage stakeholders, and
demonstrate accountability. This approach maximizes the impact of efforts and enhances
students' educational experiences.
Thank you for considering this proposal and look forward to discussing it further to implement
effective project review processes at our school.
Sincerely,
Miss Penina
principal.
CAT 2

1. A. DISCUSS THE STAGES OF STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS MODEL

ACCORDING TO PISEL (2001)

Paul N. Pisel's strategic planning process model consists of several stages to guide
organizations in developing and implementing strategic plans. These include:
 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:

The environmental assessment is a crucial stage in an organization's strategic planning

process, involving a thorough analysis of the external environment, including industry
trends, market conditions, and economic factors. This helps identify opportunities and
threats that could impact the organization's strategic direction.

 THE INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

The internal assessment evaluates the organization's capabilities, resources, and
competencies, identifying strengths and weaknesses across various functional areas. This
helps identify core competencies and areas for improvement or investments to support
strategic objectives.

 THE MISSION AND VISION DEVELOPMENT STAGE:

The mission and vision development stage outlines the organization's purpose, values,
and core principles, serving as guiding principles for decision-making and providing
direction and purpose.

 GOAL SETTING:
The strategic planning process involves setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant,
and time-bound (SMART) goals and objectives that align with the organization's mission
and vision. These goals should address key priorities and strategic initiatives, requiring
prioritization, resource allocation, and performance metrics tracking progress.

 STRATEGY FORMULATION:
Strategy formulation involves developing strategies and action plans to achieve these
goals, identifying strategic initiatives, defining competitive advantage, assessing
alternative courses of action, and selecting appropriate options. This may involve
analyzing market opportunities, segmenting target markets, positioning the organization,
and allocating resources effectively.

 IMPLEMENTATION PLANNING:
Implementation planning involves identifying tasks, assigning responsibilities,
establishing timelines, allocating resources, and setting milestones for monitoring
 progress. Communication plans are also developed to ensure alignment and buy-in from
key stakeholders.

 MONITORING AND EVALUATION:

The final stage of the strategic planning process involves monitoring and evaluating the
implementation of strategies, tracking key performance indicators, analyzing progress
against goals, identifying deviations or challenges, and making adjustments as needed.

In conclusion, Pisel's strategic planning process model offers a systematic approach for
organizations to evaluate their environment, define their mission, set goals, develop
strategies, plan implementation, and monitor performance.

B. STRATEGIC PLANNING IN MOST SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA IS ONLY

ON PAPER; EXPLAIN WHY STRATEGIC PLANNING IN A SCHOOL THAT YOU
KNOW WELL HAS NOT BEEN USED APPROPRIATELY.
 UNEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ANS LACK OF ENGAGEMENT OF
STAKEHOLDERS:
Effective communication and stakeholder engagement are crucial for successful strategic plan
implementation. Without proper consultation, stakeholders may feel disconnected from the plan's
objectives and less motivated to contribute to its execution.
 RESISTANCE TO CHANGE
Staff resistance to change, including teachers and support staff, can hinder the implementation of
strategic plans due to lack of buy-in or skepticism about the benefits of strategic planning.
 LIMITED RESOURCES:
Secondary schools in Kenya face resource constraints, including financial, human, and
infrastructural resources, which hinder the implementation of strategic initiatives and may leave
plans dormant.
 LACK OF PROPER MONITORING AND EVALUATING:
Without effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, tracking progress, assessing
performance, and holding individuals accountable for strategic initiatives can be challenging,
leading to stagnant plans and minimal follow-up or enforcement of action plans.
 LACK OF GOOD LEADRESHIP:
Strategic planning necessitates strong leadership commitment for successful implementation. If
the school administration, including principal and senior management, fails to prioritize or
execute the plan, it's unlikely to be effectively utilized.
 EMERGING AND URGENT PRIORITIES:
Secondary schools in Kenya often face immediate challenges and pressing priorities, such as
infrastructure issues, academic performance improvement, and daily operations, leading to a
backseat in strategic planning.
In conclusion, many Kenyan secondary schools struggle with strategic planning due to
leadership commitment, resource constraints, resistance to change, ineffective communication,
short-term focus, bureaucratic processes, and lack of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from administrators, staff, and
stakeholders to prioritize planning, allocate resources effectively, foster innovation, and ensure
accountability. This should be done in order for strategic planning to move from paper to action.