Stereotypical perception of the leadership of female heads of senior high school in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study was a descriptive survey which sought to find out stereotypical perception of the leadership of female heads of senior high school in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The sampled population for the study included three headmasters and 89 teachers from three second cycle institutions in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality. Questionnaire and interview were basically the instruments used to gather data from the respondents. The results from the study demonstrated that stakeholders still have negative views about the competency of women who are into educational leadership. The study also revealed that most people still feel that females cannot make efficient and effective leaders as compared to their male counterparts. It is also clear from the study that, there are serious issues on under representation of women as school heads due to leadership styles as a result of historical, social, economic and organizational factors across national, cultural and occupational context. It is recommended that civil society organisations, faith- based organisations, colleges and universities re-examine their affirmative action and diversity action policies and plans to evaluate the effectiveness of these policies and plans to bring about a more diverse women faculty with structured mentoring activities and professional development programmes that will help to reduce, if not eliminate barriers that gender stereotypical perception on female leadership.