The Contribution Of Leadership Styles On School Achievement In Secondary Schools: A Case Study Of Mpwapwa District, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This research examined the effects of leadership styles on school achievement on secondary schools in Mpwapwa District. The aim was to study the connection between the level of education and the leadership styles used, and if there is a relationship between the years in service and the leadership style and also if the leadership training has any impact on school achievement. The research adopted a correlation survey research design that helped in establishing the relationship of leadership styles and school achievement. In this regard, data for this study was collected on the independent variable, which was leadership styles, and that of the dependent variable, which was achievement. The relationship between the two variables was investigated in order to determine the strength of their relationship and the coefficients of determination existing between them. The researcher discovered on the basis of an extensive literature review and the indepth research undertaken that head teachers adopt a range of leadership styles. However, for the purposes of this investigation, the researcher examined the relationship between leadership styles in general and school achievement, and later analyzed four leadership styles in relation to school achievement. The study established that effective school achievement requires visionary leadership, amongst others, and that there is a strong relationship between visionary leadership and transformational leadership, which is recommended for education leaders. The study therefore recommends that the government, Non Governmental Organizations and local community should find ways of ensuring that the secondary school teachers are taken for leadership training which if used effectively will create a better working environment among staff thus school achievement.