Effects of leadership styles of headteachers on academic performance a case study of junior high schools in the Asante Mampong Municipality of Ashanti Region

Abstract

Appropriate leadership style is a panacea for the transformation of an organisation and enhancement of employee job satisfaction. Premised on the autocratic, democratic and laissez faire leadership styles, this study sought to establish the effects of headteachers’ leadership styles on academic performance of Junior High School students in Asante Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The study employed the descriptive survey design. Quantitative research approach was used. The study population comprised all J.H.S teachers in the Asante Mampong Municipality. Purposive and convenient sampling procedures were used to select 120 teachers from six (6) out of the ten (10) circuits in the Asante Mampong Municipality. Pearson correlation was used to establish the relationship between leadership styles and student’s academic performance. Multiple regression analysis was further applied to analyse factors that hinder effective leadership styles. Questionnaire was the research instrument used to undertake the study. The findings of the study revealed that, heads of Junior High Schools at the study area frequently exhibited autocratic leadership style. However, there was a positive significance level of headteachers leadership style on students' academic performance, except that democratic leadership style far outweighed the others. Again, lack of managerial skills, lack of respect to teachers and lack of self-confidence are major predictors that hindered effective leadership style which also affect negatively students’ academic performance in Asante Mampong Municipality. In finality, the study concluded a positive correlation between headteachers leadership styles and students' academic performance. Also, it was concluded that if students’ performance is to be enhanced, then school heads are to exhibit good leadership style. It is recommended that the Municipal directorate of the Ghana Education Service, Guidance and Counselling units, Heads of Educational Institutions and educationists in academia should be encouraged to organize workshops and seminars for head teachers to educate them on the need to avoid employing autocratic leadership style frequently as this could affect students' academic performance.