Headteachers' leadership styles and their effects on teachers' morale in selected secondary schools in Wakiso district

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to examine the headteachers’ leadership styles and their effect on teachers’ morale in selected secondary schools in Wakiso District. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to; find out the most used leadership style by headteachers, describe perceptions teachers have towards their headteachers leadership styles and the examine the outcome of transactional, affiliative and bureaucratic styles of leadership on teachers’ morale in selected secondary schools in Wakiso District. The study employed a correlational research design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches; the study population included; senior teachers (05 years and above), Director of Studies and Deputy Headteachers of five secondary schools in Wakiso District. The findings show that the most used leadership style by headteachers in selected secondary schools is Transactional leadership style as it was mainly identified by most of the respondents. Results showed both positive and negative perceptions i.e., uncomfortability, insecurity, encouraging, conducive, stimulating, perfection, stressful, consistent/inconsistent, undependable and frustrating towards teachers’ morale. When establishing the effect of headteachers’ leadership styles on teacher morale, the research findings indicated a 41.2% which is a moderate effect. This means that there are other variables that affect teachers’ morale other than the leadership styles used in the study. It concludes that the leadership style mostly used by headteachers in selected secondary schools in Wakiso District is Transactional. Most of the perceptions teachers had towards headteachers’ leadership styles are unfavorable to boost teachers’ morale. The findings of the study indicated a moderate effect of 41.2% which means they are other variables that contribute to the remaining part which the researcher did not find out since they were not part of the study. The study recommended that headteachers leadership styles needed to be improved by holding workshops to capacity build them to increase teachers’ morale in secondary schools. It further recommended the combination of two or more leadership styles in order to have effective leaders among headteachers. The researcher recommends that decision makers utilize the findings of the study in analyzing the perceptions teachers have towards the leadership styles used by the headteachers in executing duties. Results from the multiple regression indicated that the leadership styles are a good match for teacher morale and therefore policy makers may adapt the leadership styles anytime in case of need to increase teachers’ morale.