The leadership styles of basic school heads as perceived by their subordinates: a case study of Suame circuit of the Kumasi metropolitan directorate of the Ghana education service (GES)

Abstract

This study is a descriptive survey, which sought to find out the perception of teachers about the leadership styles of male and female school heads of basic schools of the Suame Circuit of the Kumasi Metropolitan Education Directorate. It also sought to find out lessons that could be learnt from each other (male/female heads). The study further sought to find out the preference of teachers for a male or female school head, and the reasons for their preferences as well as suggestions for the improvement of the leadership styles of both the male and female heads. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) respondents were involved in the study. The main research instrument used to collect data for the study was questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and cross tabulations were used to analyse the bio-data of respondents and answer the research questions. Findings of the study showed that the respondents (teachers) perceived both male and female school heads as generally democratic in their leadership styles. The researcher recommended that appointment of heads of schools should be done devoid of gender considerations but and must be based on qualification and competence. ©University of Cape Coast Digitized