A Study of Self Perceptions of Leadership Role of the Secondary Schools Heads towards the Improvement of Standard of Education

Abstract

The present research entitled a study of self perceptions of leadership role of the secondary schools heads towards the improvement of standard of education. This study was designed to check the efficiency of secondary schools heads belonging to Punjab province. Title: A study of self perceptions of leadership role of the secondary schools heads towards the improvement of standard of education Pages: 141 Researcher: Khair Muhammad Khan Roll No. 084 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ehsan-Ullah Khan (Ex. Director I.E.R. Punjab University, Lahore) University: University of Education, Lahore. Year: 2007 Subject area: Education Degree: Ph.D The objectives of the study were to evaluate the efficiency of schools heads with their attributes (age, administrative experience, professional, qualification, staff strength, budgeting, financing). The study also focused on the efficiency of students performance, teachers out put and dealing with various groups. Assumptions were formulated using sample survey, data regarding attributes, situational factors were collected from 200 schools heads through demographic variable information performa (DVIP). Data regarding thesis were obtained through questionnaire of leadership behavior analysis. iv The questionnaire was responded by 181 schools heads (urban male 50) (urban female 48) (rural male 40) (rural female 43) opinion was sought on 5 point rating scale (Likert Scale). Most of the statements given in questionnaire were accepted by all the respondents. No significant different among the perception of head teachers was seen and all the respondents accepted the problems related to teaching staff and other physical facilities. Lack of communication friction among staff, political pressure, substandard equipment, curricular and co-curricular activities centralization of power, lack of proper supervision, lack of cooperation from localities, unsatisfactory instructional material, It was revealed that senior heads in age were less flexible and more effective in their assigned work. The study also explored that the heads with higher professional qualifications were more efficient. The study further indicated that the performance of the teachers of those institutions where schools heads applied sharing leadership style was significantly higher than those of the teachers working under the other leadership style i.e. telling, selling and delegating. The situational approach recognized the effective leadership is more complex than that captured by the trait as behaviour approach. The study revealed that effective management contributes to effective education. schools heads are important components in education system and their leadership style is one of the stimulants to make the system more effective. This research, assessed the efficiency of the heads. The study provides information whether the schools heads modify their leadership style according to the maturity level and also remains a source of inspiration for the practicing educators. The study provides guide lines for deciding alternative courses of action for improving the standard and quality of education through school heads as they have perceived and they are considered first time leaders. Of course management competencies of schools heads are directly related to school improvement. This study describes that gender of the heads did not effect the school effectiveness, while professional qualification of school heads and management courses attended by school heads were more supportive for improving school education system. Keeping in view the findings of the study in-service training programme should be designed for schools heads, included objectives of programme, content for management training, training methodologies, evaluation procedure and tentative schedule of training programme should be improved. It is hoped that conclusion of this research will be helpful in future planning of education policies in Pakistan. It is not a final conclusion however, future researchers can use this as a beginning point for their research.