Leadership Styles and Work Efficiency of Headteachers in Selected Primary Schools in Wareng District, Kenya.

ABSTRACT This study aimed at finding out the relationship between leadership styles of headteachers and work efficiency. It further investigated the preferred leadership style used by headteachers in their institutions and the reasons behind their choice. The study mainly focused on three leadership styles; democratic leadership style, autocratic leadership style and laissez-faire leadership style. The study was based on contingency theory of leadership styles. In the study seventeen schools were earmarked and out of three hundred and sixty seven teachers, one hundred and ninety one were identified as respondents. This was done through purposive sampling and simple random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysis done through tables. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in data analysis and presentation. The study found out that democratic leadership style was used mainly by headteachers in most institutions but autocratic leadership style and laissez-faire leadership style were used sparingly and for specific situations. The study also found out that most respondents preferred democratic leadership style as it enhances efficiency, hence improved productivity. It also found out that there was a significant relationship between a headteacherts leadership style and work efficiency. The study recommended that the headteachers should use a combination of democratic leadership style, laissez-faire leadership style and autocratic leadership style for enhanced work efficiency.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Title Page

Declaration A ii

Declaration B iii

Approval Sheet iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Abstract Vi

Table of Contents vii

List of Tables x

CHAPTER

ONE BACKGROUNDOFTHESTUDY 1

Statement of the Problem 2

The Purpose of the Study 4

Research Objectives 4

Research Questions 5

Null Hypothesis 5

Scope 5

Significance of the Study 6

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 7

TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 9

Concepts, Ideas and opinions from Authors/Experts 9

Theoretical Perspectives 11

Related Studies 12

Autocratic Leadership Style 14

Democratic Leadership Style 15

Laissez-faire leadership Style 16

THREE METHODOLOGY 17

Research Design 17

Research Population 17

Sample Size 19

Sampling Procedures 19

Research Instrument 20

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 21

Data Gathering Procedures 21

Data Analysis 22

Limitations of the Study 22

FOUR PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

OF DATA 23

Profile of teachers and headteachers in Wareng district 23

Types of leadership styles used by headteachers in primary

schools in Wareng district 26

Level of work efficiency 28

Relationship between leadership styles and level

of work efficiency 30

FIVE FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS 32

Findings 33

Conclusions 3

Recommendations 34

REFERENCES 35

APPENDICES 37

Appendix I: Transmittal letter 37

Appendix hA: Questionnaire for Determining

Leadership Styles 38

Appendix IIB: Questionnaire for Determining Work

Efficiency 44

Appendix ITh: Sample Size 47

Appendix hV: Time Frame 48

Appendix V: Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 49