Influence of head teachers' leadership styles on teachers' levels of job satisfaction in secondary

105 Pages·2014·2.16 MB·English

by  Issak Adan Ibrahim

INFLUENCE OF HEAD TEACHERS’ LEADERSHIP STYLES ON
TEACHERS’ LEVELS OF JOB SATISFACTION IN SECONDARY
SCHOOLS, MANDERA COUNTY, KENYA

Issak Adan Ibrahim

A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements of
the Degree of Master of Education in Educational Administration
University of Nairobi

2014
DECLARATION
This research project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree
in any other university.

________________________________________
Issak Adan Ibrahim
E55/75001/09

This research project has been submitted for examination with our approval as
University Supervisors.

___________________________________________
Dr. Rosemary Imonje
Lecturer
Department of Educational Administration and Planning
University of Nairobi

_________________________________________
Dr. Jeremiah Kalai
Lecturer
Department of Educational Administration and Planning
University of Nairobi

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DEDICATION
This study is dedicated to my family members; my wife Mrs. Zeituna Adan, and
children Hannan Adan, Taiha Adan, Ikram Adan, Abdiaziz Adan and Hawa
Adan. I also dedicate it to my father in law Hajj Billow.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I extend my most sincere thanks to my supervisors Dr. Jeremiah Kalai and Dr.
Rosemary Imonje for their guidance, professional advice and constructive
criticism which kept me going to the end. I also want to thank my family
members; my wife Mrs. Zeituna Adan, and children Hannan Adan, Taiha Adan,
Ikram Adan, Abdiaziz Adan and Hawa Adan for the support and encouragement
they gave me during my studies. Special thanks go to my father in law Hajj
Billow for his support. I also want to sincerely thank all the respondents in this
study; the school headteachers and teachers in Mandera County since without
their participation, this study would not have this final stage. To all mentioned
and unmentioned but supported this study, I say a big thank you.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Content Page
Title Page ................................................................................................................. i
Declaration .............................................................................................................. ii
Dedication .............................................................................................................. iii
Acknowledgement ................................................................................................. iv
Table of content ...................................................................................................... v
List of figures ......................................................................................................... ix
List of tables ............................................................................................................ x
Abbreviations and acronyms ................................................................................ xii
Abstract ................................................................................................................ xiii
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the study ................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the problem .................................................................................. 9
1.3 Purpose of the study ........................................................................................ 10
1.4 Objectives of the study ................................................................................... 11
1.5 Research questions .......................................................................................... 11
1.6 Significance of the study ................................................................................. 12
1.7 Limitations of the study .................................................................................. 12
1.8 Delimitations of the study ............................................................................... 12
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1.9 Assumptions of the study ................................................................................ 13
1.10 Definitions of significant terms .................................................................... 13
1.11 Organization of the study .............................................................................. 14
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 16
2.2 Leadership styles and employee job satisfaction ............................................ 16
2.2.1 Autocratic leadership style and employees’ job satisfaction ................ 17
2.2.2 Democratic leadership style and employees’ job satisfaction .............. 21
2.2.3 Laissez-faire leadership style and employees’ job satisfaction ............ 25
2.3 Summary of literature review ......................................................................... 27
2.4 Theoretical framework .................................................................................... 28
2.5 Conceptual framework .................................................................................... 30
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 31
3.2 Research design .............................................................................................. 31
3.3 Target population ............................................................................................ 31
3.4 Sample size and sampling procedure .............................................................. 32
3.5 Research instruments ...................................................................................... 33
3.6 Validity of the instruments ............................................................................. 33
3.7 Reliability of the instruments .......................................................................... 34
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3.8 Data collection procedures .............................................................................. 34
3.9 Data analysis techniques ................................................................................. 35
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 36
4.2 Questionnaire return rate ................................................................................ 36
4.3 Demographic data of the teachers ................................................................... 40
4.4 Head teachers’ perception of their leadership styles ...................................... 43
4.5 Teachers’ perceptions of their head teachers’ leadership styles ..................... 47
4.6 Influence of autocratic leadership style on teachers’ job satisfaction ............ 55
4.7 Influence of democratic leadership style on teachers’ job satisfaction .......... 58
4.8 Influence of Laissez-faire leadership style on teachers’ job satisfaction ........ 60
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 64
5.2 Summary of the study ..................................................................................... 64
5.3 Conclusions ..................................................................................................... 66
5.4 Recommendations ........................................................................................... 69
5.5 Suggestions for further research ..................................................................... 69
REFERENCES .................................................................................................... 71
APPENDICES
Appendix I:letter of Introduction .......................................................................... 77
vii
Appendix II:Questionnaire for head teachers ....................................................... 78
Appendix III:Questionnaire for teachers .............................................................. 83
Appendix IV:Authorization letter ......................................................................... 91
Appendix V:Research permit ................................................................................ 92

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
Figure 2. 1 Conceptual framework ................................................................................ 30
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LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Table 4. 1 Gender distribution of the head teachers ............................................. 37
Table 4. 2 Age distribution of the head teachers .................................................. 38
Table 4. 3 Professional qualification of the head teachers .................................... 38
Table 4. 4: Head teachers’ teaching experience in years ...................................... 39
Table 4.5: Head teachers’ distribution by school category ................................... 40
Table 4. 6: Distribution of the teachers according to age ..................................... 41
Table 4. 7: Teachers’ academic/professional qualifications ................................. 41
Table 4. 8: Duration of teachers in present schools .............................................. 42
Table 4.9: Teachers’ responsibilities .................................................................... 43
Table 4. 10 Head teachers’ perceptions of themselves as autocratic leaders ........ 44
Table 4. 11 Head teachers’ perception of themselves as democratic leaders ....... 45
Table 4. 12 Head teachers’ perception of themselves as laissez fair leaders ........ 46
Table 4. 13 Teachers’ perceptions of the leadership style of their head teachers . 47
Table 4. 14 Teachers’ perceptions of the leadership style of their head teachers . 48
Table 4. 15 Teachers’ perceptions of their head teachers’ leadership style .......... 50
Table 4. 16 Teachers’ level of satisfaction with working conditions in their
schools................................................................................................................... 51
Table 4. 17 Teachers’ satisfaction with pay and promotion ................................. 52
Table 4. 18 Teachers’ level of satisfaction with work relations ........................... 53
Table 4. 19 Teachers’ level of satisfaction with use of skills and abilities ........... 53
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