Perceptions of tutors and students about leadership behaviours of principals of colleges of education in the Central region of Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to find the perceptions tutors and students held about the Leadership Behaviours of Principals of Colleges of Education in the Central Region of Ghana. The design for the study was a descriptive survey whereby data were collected to answer the research questions. Tutors and students from the three colleges of education in the Central Region of Ghana constituted the population. In all, the sample size of the study stood at 407. Seventy-seven tutors were selected by using stratified random sampling technique while 330 students were randomly selected through the lottery method. Major findings of the study were that, the leadership behaviours of principals promoted good human relations and interpersonal communication. Principals exhibited good, appropriate, and effective administrative behaviours which placed the management of the colleges on a sound footing. Principals were believed to have introduced desirable changes in the colleges which uplifted the images of the colleges. On the contrary, principals were noted to be castigating at tutors and students publicly. Also, principals were aloof towards subordinates who had personal problems. Moreover, principals did not involve tutors in planning new projects and budget for the colleges. Based on the findings, it is recommended that: Principals need to improve upon their human relations and interpersonal communication skills. They need to consider the views of tutors and students before arriving at final decisions affecting them (tutors and students). Finally, they must involve tutors in planning for new projects and budget for the colleges.