The impact of strategic planning on the performance of Rwandan secondary schools: A Systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/cm9q9071Keywords:
Strategic planning, School performance, Secondary schools, Educational leadership, RwandaAbstract
Introduction
This systematic review looks at how strategic planning influences the performance of secondary schools in Rwanda.
Methodology
Searches were conducted in Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, UNESCO, World Bank, OECD, and Government of Rwanda databases using predefined search terms that included strategic planning, educational leadership, school performance, and Rwanda. Studies published in English that discuss strategic planning and secondary school performance were selected. Starting with a total of 190 articles, all duplicate and irrelevant studies were excluded using title, abstract, and full-text screening, leaving 51 for thematic synthesis. The methodological quality of the included studies has been evaluated using CASP and AMSTAR frameworks.
Results
It has been found out from this systematic review that strategic planning positively influences school performance in terms of goal setting, effective instructional leadership, proper resource allocation, participation of all stakeholders, policy coherence, accountability, and school improvement. Leadership capability turned out to be the most important factor mediating strategic planning implementation, and flexible strategic planning increases the resilience of institutions. Also, some additional positive relationships have been found between strategic planning and organizational effectiveness, teacher commitment, and student performance. Strategic planning considerably improves the performance of Rwandan secondary schools with good leadership, an implementation process, and continuous monitoring and alignment with national education policies. It is necessary to develop strong leadership development programs, implement evidence-based strategic planning practices, and continuously monitor and evaluate to improve secondary school performance.
Conclusion
Secondary school performance can be significantly improved through strategic planning due to effective leadership, an implementation system, and school effectiveness principles.
Need for future research.
Future research needs to focus on longitudinal, mixed-methods, and comparative research that will analyze the long-term effects of strategic planning on students’ learning outcomes, teachers' effectiveness, and institutional performance in Rwanda and similar education systems.
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