PRINCIPAL'S LEADERSHIP STYLES AND IT'S EFFICACY ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS

Abstract

This study investigated principal's leadership styles and its efficacy on the management of private secondary Schools in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study .Descriptive research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 1716 teachers drawn from private secondary schools in Makurdi Metropolis. Proportionate sampling technique was used to draw 10% of the total population for the work. A total of 176 respondents were used for the study. Questionnaire titled “Efficacy of Principal's Leadership Styles in the Management of Private Secondary Schools (EPLSMPSSQ) drawn by the researcher was used for the study. Mean and standard deviation was used for data analysis while chi square was used to test the hypothesis. The findings from the study revealed that, both democratic and charismatic leadership styles employed by principals have a significant positive effect on the management of private secondary schools in Makurdi Metropolis. The study recommended  that Educational Authorities and school boards  should provide training programmes focusing on democratic leadership styles for principals and also  train principals on  charismatic leadership style to help them develop their ability to inspire and motivate staff.