The effect of leadership styles of heads of senior high schools on teacher job performance in the Kumasi metropolis

Abstract

This study sought to assess ‗how‘ leadership styles of the headmasters and headmistresses in five selected schools affect the performance of teaching staff in those schools. The study was to find ‗why‘ certain leadership styles of the heads result in certain job performances on the part of the teachers. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were adopted for this study. The type of question used for the interview was exploratory in nature. In terms of the quantitative aspect however, a survey approach that relied on the use of questionnaires was adopted. Two sets of instruments (Semi-structured Interview guide and questionnaire) were used in gathering data for the study. The questionnaires were distributed among the teachers of the selected schools for the needed information. The population of this study was all headmasters and headmistresses as well as teachers who teach in Senior High Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis. Five headmasters/headmistresses from the five selected study schools in the Kumasi Metropolis were chosen using the nonprobability technique of purposive sampling. Also, in selecting 230 teachers for the survey questions, the study adopted the probability sampling method of simple random sampling. The results gathered were then subjected to statistical computations using frequencies, percentages and graphs. The study concluded that if the appropriate leadership styles and positive relationships are adopted by school heads, teachers are likely to cooperate and work hard to give optimum performance that will help achieve the goals of their schools. It is therefore recommended that performance appraisal should be conducted for Senior High School heads and their teachers in a regular fashion to provide a ready reference on the performance of each school.