Teachers' Perception of Principals' Leadership Capacities in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined teachers' perception of the leadership competencies of their
principals. Two hundred secondary school teachers from Oyo State, Nigeria, participated in the study. The principals' Leadership Capacities Questionnaire (PLCQ) developed by Luo (2004) was used to collect data, which was analysed by using simple percentage technique. Findings showed that the teachers perceived their principals as either having little capacity, moderate capacity or excellent capacity. None of the principals was considered as having no capacity. The principals were considered to have little capacity in the area of technology and information system and ability to apply appropriate models and principles of organisational development and management. The principals were considered to be having excellent capacity in the area of vision for the school, communicating this vision to staff, students and parents and have the ability to use effective strategies to implement this vision in order to promote positive school culture. The study therefore recommended that principals of secondary schools should be given adequate training in information and communication technology and modern management techniques. Finally, the study recommended that would-be-principals must be formally trained at the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA – NIGERIA) before they assume duties as school principals.

Keywords: Teachers, Principals, leadership, capacities.

Nigerian Journal of Guidance and Counselling Vol. 13 (1) 2008: pp. 143-157