TRAINING COLLEGE TUTORS’ PERCEPTION ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR PRINCIPALS’ LEADERSHIP PRACTICES IN THE CENTRAL REGION

ABSTRACT If principals of teacher training colleges are to provide effective and efficient leadership that will ensure the attainment of their institutional goals, then they need to identify their own strengths and weaknesses. This will enable them to build on their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses. This study sought to explore how tutors of teacher training colleges in the Central Region perceive their principals’ leadership role and what suggestions they have for improving the effectiveness of their principals’ leadership role. Questionnaires, which were tested with reliability of .82, was used to collect data from the 151 tutors. Three principals were also interviewed. The data were presented using frequencies, percentages and average ratings which were all calculated for each question. Among other things, the study found that that the tutors generally have a positive perception about their principals’ leadership role. They however expected their principals to have good human relations with their tutors but at the same time be firm and seek the welfare of tutors. They should also encourage tutors to enroll for further studies and periodically organize in-service training (INSET) for tutors and also provide adequate learning and working resources to improve their effectiveness. Based on the findings, it was recommended that principals should set up committees to support their leadership task accomplishment. Old Students Associations could also be strengthened so that the alumni could contribute their quota to the provision of learning and working resources for the colleges.