ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF LEADERSHIP STYLE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE OBUASI MUNICIPALITY OF THE ASHANTI REGION

Abstract

The major concern of any school organization is the success or effectiveness of teaching and learning process. Experiences and records have shown that head teachers’ leadership styles have a direct bearing on the overall effectiveness of a school because both the teacher and the student are to perform under their leadership. The major objective of the study therefore was to analyze how leadership style influences student’s academic performance in the Obuasi Municipality of Ghana. The study adopted a cross sectional survey research design. The sample size under this study was taken from the selected three (3) public secondary schools in the Obuasi Municipality, made up as follows; 9 heads of schools (i.e. three from each school) will automatically be involved in the study due to their managerial positions (heads of school/Deputies) and are also main informants on the practiced leadership styles in secondary schools.; Moreover, 51 teachers were randomly selected. These were expected to provide information on feedback information of their administrators. Hence, the study has a total of 60 respondents. The data were analyzed by the use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software and descriptive statistics and tables. The study found out that, most male heads were autocratic than the females. Also Heads who were advanced in age were more democratic than the youth. The study therefore recommends induction training in management and leadership for the newly appointed head teachers. Again more females should be encouraged to take up leadership roles in educational institutions. Finally, the study recommends the adoption of a coaching and mentoring policy to train newly employed heads of schools.