Influence Of Principals ‘leadership Styles On Students’ Performance At Kenya Certificate Of Secondary Education In Kinangop District, Kenya

Abstract

The search for excellence in schools is an ever ending feat especially in relation to registering continuous improvement. The role played by the principal towards school excellence as represented by a academic performance is of great concern to all stakeholders in education. The principals’ role is exemplified by the leadership style employed. The study sought to analyze the leadership styles of principals and their influence on leaners’ performance of secondary schools in Kinangop district. The research used descriptive survey design to obtain information regarding the independent variable, which was leadership styles, and that of the dependent variable, which was school performance. Data was collected using questionnaires from 75 teachers and 15 head teachers. The key finding was that there is a strong positive relationship between the leadership style and school performance. The autocratic leadership style of the school’s head teachers has a negative effect on school performance (-0.65). There is also a strong negative correlation between the laissez-faire leadership style and school performance in secondary schools (-0.66). There is a weak relationship between the transformational leadership and school performance in secondary schools (0.34); and there is a strong positive relationship between democratic leadership style and school performance in secondary schools (0.48). Most principals do not involve others in making decisions on matters affecting them. Their leadership style has an autocratic bias and they cannot strike a balance between democratic and autocratic leadership. Most principals’ felt that they used democratic style of leadership though their schools posted poor results in KCSE. On the other hand, most teachers felt that their principals used autocratic leadership style. On the ground most school in Kinagop district post below average performance. Need therefore exists for the school administrators to embrace and practically employ democratic and transformational leadership styles. Key recommendation was that there is a need for equipping the principal with the necessary management and leadership skills through a structured and regular in service programme. Nurturing of democratic principles should be instituted in all spheres of school administration, including the student leadership. School principals should endeavor to employ both democratic and transformational leadership styles. Experienced and productive principals should also act as mentors to newly appointed and under performing principals. This study also recommends that elaborate plans be made to develop staff development programmes and succession plans by both the teachers service commission and the Kenya education management institute. This will ensure sustained supply of competent personnel to run schools.