Leadership Roles of Headteachers in Senior High Schools in Ghana: “Directing” and “Controlling” Viewpoints

Abstract

This study examines the leadership roles o headteachers in SHSH in Ghana. The study specifically set out to explore the directing and controlling function of headteachers and as find out whether gender differences exist in the directing and controlling function of headteachers in SHS. A cross-sectional survey was employed in the study. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 577 and 249 teachers in urban and urban schools respectively were involved in the study. A questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale was administered to the respondents, taking into consideration ethical issues as well as validity and reliability issues. The study revealed that headteachers in SHS, in general, were rated high on the directing and controlling function. Independent t-test analysis discovered significant differences in the directing function, t(824)=33.7, p<.001, and controlling, t(824)=29.63, p<.001, of headteachers in urban and rural SHS in Ghana. The study recommends that headteachers, especially those in rural areas, should be given training intermittently through workshops and seminars. Again, the Ghana Education Service should do well to support headteachers in the rural SHS in terms of finances and also provide much infrastructure.