Influence of headteachers' leadership styles on pupils' performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in Miharati Division, Kipipiri District, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of headteachers leadership styles on pupils' performance in KCPE examination in public primary schools of Miharati Division, Kipipiri District, Kenya. The study had the following objectives: To establish headteachers' leadership styles as perceived by the teachers in public primary schools in Miharati Division, Kipipiri District, to determine the extent to which headteachers' autocratic leadership style influences performance of pupils in KCPE in Miharati Division, Kipipiri District, to determine the extent to which the head teachers ' democratic leadership style influences performance of pupils in KCPE in Miharati Division, Kipipiri District and to determine the extent to which the headteachers' laissez-faire leadership style influences performance of pupils in KCPE in Miharati Division, Kipipiri District.

Ex-post facto research design was used. The sample size for the study was 168 teachers and 28 headteachers. The researcher collected data using questionnaires with both open and closed ended questions to head teachers and teachers.Head teachers' questionnaires had two sections A and B. Section A contained demographic details of the respondents, Section B contained questions aimed at obtaining the influence of head teachers' leadership styles on pupil's performance in National examinations. Similarly, teachers' questionnaire had two sections A and B where section A contained demographic details of the respondents while section B contained questions on leadership style.

To determine reliability of the instruments, a pilot study was carried in two pilot schools, split half technique was used. The Pearson Product Moment correlation formula was used and a correlation score of 0.9 was obtained. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data to give percentage (%), frequencies (1) and means. Data presented helped to explain the relationship between the variables of the study.

The findings revealed that majority of the teachers (53.5%) perceived their headteachers' leadership style as autocratic while majority of the headteachers (65%) perceived their leadership style as democratic.ln the schools where democratic style was exhibited, performance was slightly higher than in the other schools where the other styles were practiced.

Performance was very poor in the schools where laissez-faire leadership style was exhibited. Performance was not also good in the schools where autocratic style was practiced. From the study results, the researcher concludes that headteachers leadership styles influences pupil's performance in KCPE in Miharati Division Kipipiri District. The researcher concluded that autocratic leadership style was the one which was mainly employed by most of the head teachers.

From the findings of the study, it was recommended that, the Ministry of Education should support headteachers by providing frequent and vigorous training programmes aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness in school management. The Ministry can also organize seminars and workshops for headtcachers aimed at making them understand leadership skills better. Leadership skills are a preliquisite for better academic performance.