Influence of principals' leadership styles on public secondary schoolteachers' levels of job satisfaction in Nairobi province, Kenya

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that teachers have low job satisfaction (Ngumi, 2003; Mbugua, 1998; Kimengi, 1983). A major reason for this is low pay (Eshiwani 1990; Mutie 1993). One undisputed way of enhancing satisfaction is using good leadership styles. Although a lot has been done on the areas of leadership styles and job satisfaction, it is clearly evident that only a few researchers have explored the influence of principals' leadership styles on the teachers' levels of job satisfaction especially in Nairobi province. This study therefore focused on principals' leadership styles and public secondary school teachers' levels of job satisfaction in Nairobi province Kenya. The study had a target population of 1595 teachers including principals from the 67 public secondary schools in Nairobi province. The sample was selected through stratified random sampling technique where 300 teachers and 28 principals from 28 schools were selected giving a total sample size of 328 respondents. A total of 328 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 265 were collected giving 80.8 percent response rate. The filled questionnaires were coded, cleaned and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented using tables, frequencies and charts. The findings were presented using tables, charts and descriptive statistics. The first objective was to identify the leadership styles used by principals in public secondary schools in Nairobi province.