Heads, teachers and students perception of leadership styles in three leading secondary schools in Ho, Volta region of Ghana

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the impact of leadership styles of heads on academic performance of students in three leading secondary schools in Ho. The method used for the research was the descriptive survey. This method was used because it may reveal the actual perception of students and teachers about their head’s leadership style. The population was the heads, teachers and students of the schools involved in the study. The three heads, sixty teachers and one hundred and fifty students were the sample used. Findings revealed that the heads leadership behaviour in decision making, supervision, welfare of teachers and students and the involvement of stakeholders in the administration of the schools had an impact on the academic performance of students in these schools. Thus the heads were instrumental in improving academic performance of students to a large extent. It was recommended that all school heads should be given formal training in educational administration at Institute for Education Planning and Administration (I.E.P.A) to give them leadership skills that will produce behaviours that will influence academic performance in both students and teachers.