Influence of headteachers' leadership styles on performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in public primary schools, Embu West district, Kenya.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate how headteachers' leadership styles in public primary schools in Embu West District influence the students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations, based . on four leadership styles; Democratic, Authoritative, Laissez-faire and Bureaucratic. This is as a result of the fact that the schools' performance has been declining in the last five years, according to the Ministry of Education, Embu West district office through their yearly news letters. Factors leading to this poor performance have not been adequately investigated and well understood. This study can be used by the headteachers for self-assessment and to know how to improve their leadership to cater better for the students' needs and improve performance.

To carry out the study, the researcher designed questionnaires to collect data from the respondents. Respondents were sampled from the public day primary schools in Embu West District using ex-post factor research design. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics that involved calculating mean scores, organizing items in tables and assigning frequencies and percentages from which deductions were made. Analysis was done using the SPSS computer programme. The major finding was that the leadership style used by majority headteachers was democratic.

It was f also established that despite the wide use of the democratic leadership style by the headteachers the performance did not improve. Based on these findings, it is recommended that headteachers should combine democratic and other leadership styles to make sure targets are met and every teacher and student does their best to post a good performance starting from the lower classes, and this effort should be maintained until the students sit for the K.C.P.E. examinations. Also headteachers should be more present in their schools and involved in the day to day activities of the schools.