Effectiveness of Principal-Initiated Programmes in Enhancing the Retention of Teenage Mothers in Public Secondary Schools in Nyali Sub-County Mombasa County

Abstract The study aimed to examine ways principal-initiated programmes enhance the retention of teenage mothers in public secondary schools in Nyali sub-county Mombasa county. It was guided by one research question: What programs have principals initiated to support the retention of teenage mothers? The study was grounded in Emile Durkheim's Social Integration Theory and employed a mixed-methods research approach using a convergent parallel design. Both descriptive cross-sectional and phenomenological research approaches were integrated. Sampling techniques included stratified random, simple random, systematic random, and purposive sampling. The target population comprised 1,750 Form Three and Four students, principals, SCDE and 265 teachers across seven public secondary schools. The sample included 165 students, 131 teachers, four principals, and one sub-county director of education. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, in-depth interview guides, and focus group discussion guides. Instrument reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha for quantitative tools, and member checking, triangulation, and peer review for qualitative tools. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic methods. Findings revealed that principals have implemented initiatives such as healthcare assistance, counselling, reintegration policies, and flexible timetables to support teenage mothers. The study concluded that while principal-initiated programs are essential for retaining teenage mothers in school, sustained parental involvement and broader community collaboration are vital for achieving long-term success. Recommendations included standardizing retention programs across schools, enhancing parent engagement through workshops, improving teacher preparation, and forming partnerships with local stakeholders. Key Words: Teenage mothers school retention programs, principal-initiated programs, Reintegration policies, education retention. Citation: Anjeru, S., Mabeya, M.T., & Wambiya, P. (2024). Ways principal-initiated programmes enhance the retention of teenage mothers in public secondary schools in Nyali Sub-County Mombasa County. Journal of Africana Articles, 2(22), 1-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14538100