Influence of headteachers' communication planning practices on Management performance in public primary schools in Thika West sub-county, Kiambu county, Kenya.

Communication is very critical in primary school management by ensuring that there is improved efficiency. However, in many primary schools in Thika West Sub-county encounter challenges which border on school management such as unhealthy staff relations, imprudent use of financial resources, poor maintenance of facilities, imprudent time management and under-utilization of instructional materials are on the rise. Thus, this study sought to assess the influence of headteachers’ communication planning practices on management performance in public primary schools in Thika West Sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya. The study was guided by the communication theory and school management theory. The study adopted mixed methodology and concurrent triangulation research design. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically along the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using ANOVA Test Analysis using Statistical Packages for Social Science (SPSS Version 23) and presented using tables. The study established that headteachers’ communication planning practices influence on management performance in primary schools. The study recommends that headteachers should ensure that they design the content of message to be relayed and also identify the specific recipients of their information to be communicated. Headteachers should adopt layers of communication which are efficient and provide immediate and objective feedback. Headteachers should adopt forms of communication to suit every occasion to avoid interruptions. Headteachers should adopt a feedback mechanism which guarantees efficiency and prudence in school management.