Leadership style and teacher performance in secondary schools in Nakaseke District

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the effects of leadership styles on teacher performance in secondary schools in Nakaseke District. The study was guided by a number of objectives which included: establishing how head teachers involve teachers in decision making and the effect it has on teacher performance, establishing how head teachers communicate with their teaching staff and the effect it has on teacher performance and finding out how head teachers delegate duties to the teachers and the effect it has on teacher performance.

The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design which was both descriptive and quantitative in nature. It used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative approach used self administered questionnaires which were directed to secondary school teachers while the qualitative approach used interview guides which were directed to secondary school head teachers. The sample size was 126 secondary school teachers and 24 secondary school head teachers. The research hypotheses of the study were verified using Fishers’ ANOVA technique.

The study found out that head teachers’ involvement of teachers in decision making process of the school through committees and meetings enhances teacher performance. It was further discovered that teacher performance is enhanced by head teachers’ communication to their teaching staff. It was also found out that head teachers’ delegation of duties to teachers enhances teacher performance.

From the study, it was concluded that the way head teachers’ involved teachers in decision making had a significant effect on teacher performance in secondary schools in Nakaseke District. It was also concluded that the way head teachers’ communicated with teaching staff had a significant effect on teacher performance in secondary schools in Nakaseke District. It was also concluded that the way head teachers’ delegated duties to teachers had a significant effect on teacher performance in secondary schools in Nakaseke District. These research hypotheses were proved by Fishers’ ANOVA results that indicated a significant in all the three study findings.

The study recommended that head teachers should involve teachers in the decision making process of secondary schools at all levels and times. This could be done by involving teachers in committees like finance, disciplinary, security, academic, procurement and welfare. Further the study recommended that head teachers should communicate with the teaching staff at all times. This could be done through organizing regular meetings with teachers, writing notices in the staff notice boards, sending junior staff to pass information to teachers and by use of telephone calls. Finally, the study recommended that head teachers should delegate duties to teachers. This could be done through providing further training, refresher courses, seminars and workshops to both head teachers and teachers so as to acquire and be equipped with new skills and knowledge needed to perform school tasks as expected.