Enhancing Teenage Mothers' Retention: The Role of Principals in Providing Guidance and Counseling Services in Public Secondary Schools in Kajiado North Sub-County

The research investigated the role of principals in providing guidance and counseling services to enhance the retention of teenage mothers in public secondary schools in Kajiado North sub-County. The research was anchored on Durkheim's Social Integration Theory. The study utilized convergent design under mixed method research approach which was supported by cross-sectional survey design and phenomenological design. The research question of the study was on the influence of guidance and counselling services on the retention of teenage mothers in public secondary schools. The target population for the study was 302 with a sample size of 172 participants made up of teenage mothers, principals, guidance and counseling teachers and board of management chair persons. The study used both probability and non-probability sampling. This research used content validity and Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient to determine the reliability of the questionnaire, while the trustworthiness of the interview guides was assessed during a pilot study to ascertain credibility. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression). Whereas qualitative data was analyzed using thematic approach. The research complied with ethical norms and guidelines established by the appropriate local and international organizations. The study found that principals' guidance and counselling explained explained 20.1% of the variation in the retention of teenage mothers in public secondary schools in Kajiado North sub-County (R² = 0.201). The model was statistically significant (F(1, 150) = 37.686, p = 0.000). Regression analysis revealed a positive and significant effect of these services on retention (β = 0.397, p = 0.000). The study concludes that principal's guidance and counseling services play an important role in supporting the retention of teenage mothers in public secondary schools. In view of the findings, the study recommends that Kajiado North sub-County Secondary schools invest in comprehensive training programs for guidance and counselors, specifically tailored to address the unique needs of teenage mothers. Keywords: Teenage Mothers' Retention, Guidance and Counseling Services, Principals' Role, Public Secondary Schools, Kajiado North sub-County