Human Resource Management Strategies and Academic Performance of Public Day Secondary Schools in Matungu Sub-County, Kenya

Past research with regard to the relationship between human resource management strategies and academic performance gave little attention on how knowledge management, employee experience design, talent analytics and up skilling and reskilling programmes affect academic performance. This study examined the relationship between human resource management strategies and academic performance of public day secondary schools in Matungu Sub- County of Kakamega County in Kenya. The specific objectives examined the relationship between knowledge management, employee experience design, and talent analytics and up skilling and reskilling programmes as human resource management strategies and academic performance of public day secondary schools in Matungu Sub-County, Kenya. The study was anchored on Cybernetic Systems Model as main theory supported by Resource Based View Theory and the Behavioral Perspective Theory. The study used descriptive research design with a target population of 20 principals, one TSC sub-county director in charge of Human Resource (Matungu sub-county) and 387 teachers totaling 408 respondents. The respondents were drawn from 20 public day secondary schools in Matungu Sub- County of Kakamega County and one sub county director of education in charge of human resource management of, Matungu sub-county. Purposive and stratified sampling method was used. Yamane formula was used to calculate the sample size of 201 respondents. Primary data was obtained using a structured questionnaire pre-tested for reliability and validity.  For reliability analysis Cronbach’s alpha was used. Pilot study was carried out at Madende Mixed day secondary school in Busia County. The period of the study covered was two years between 2022 and 2024. The data collected was analyzed quantitatively in relation to research objectives. Descriptive statistics was employed which consisted of frequency tables, percentage, standard deviation and weighted mean. All the independent variables of knowledge management, employee experience design, talent analytics and up-skilling and re-skilling programmes were found to have a positive statistically significant effect with academic performance. The study concluded that knowledge management, employee experience design, talent analytics and up-skilling and re-skilling programmes are instrumental in improving academic performance. This study will be useful to the government of Kenya through the ministry of education, the Teachers Service Commission and other policymakers. They will use the findings of this study to make decisions in order to improve organizational performance through their employees. The study recommended that policies and practices should aim to address knowledge management, employee experience design, talent analytics and up-skilling and re-skilling programmes in a holistic manner.