Factors influencing mentoring and socialization of girls in leadership in some senior high schools in Sekyere Kumawu District

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the factors influencing mentorship and socialization of girls in leadership in some selected Senior High Schools in Sekyere Kumawu District of Ashanti Region. Girls were seen to be weak and under-represented in the current practice of leadership in schools and the researcher was interested in examining the influence of mentorship, socialization and socio-demographic characteristics on girls’ leadership qualities. The study employed quantitative study type and cross-sectional study design. The study used sample size of 338 out of 342 female students for the analysis. Structured questionnaire was the main data collection tool used in the study. Descriptive and inferential analyses were made in the data analysis. Data were analysed using SPSS version 20.0. The findings indicated mentorship supported girls’ leadership qualities. It was also revealed that lack of mentorship demotivate girls for leadership. It was also realized that mentorship led to girls’ empowerment in the schools. Again, majority of the respondent (52.4%) strongly agreed that cultural norms affected girls’ leadership. The following variables had association with girls’ leadership: age (p-value = 0.000), class (p-value = 0.001), parents’ income level (p-value = 0.000), and guidance occupation (p-value = 0.000). The study concluded that improving the leadership qualities of girls through the girls’ empowerment presents enormous potentials for wealth creation and reducing poverty. It is therefore an undeniable fact that local institutions serve as valuable actors for girl child education and promote leadership as a whole in the country. The study recommended that stakeholders like the Municipal Assemblies, Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection should collaborate to empower girls in schools to increase their leadership qualities in the various Senior High Schools and even after completion of Senior High Schools and beyond.