Leadership and Teachers’ Morale in Senior Secondary Schools in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the relationship between principals’ leadership styles and teachers’ morale in senior secondary schools in Plateau State. The correlation research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised of 39 principals and 229 teachers who have spent at least three years working together in the Senior Secondary Schools of Barkin Ladi and Langtang North Local Government areas in Plateau State. The sample consists of 31 principals and 137 teachers out of the population. The instruments used for data collection were the Principal Leadership Style Questionnaire (PLSQ) and Teachers’ Questionnaire (TQ). Data were analyzed using the frequency count, percentage, and Pearson Product Moment correlation coefficient (Pearson r). Findings were; there was positive statistical significant relationship between principals’ democratic leadership style and teachers’ morale; there was negative statistical significant relationship between principals’ autocratic leadership style and teachers’ morale; while there was no statistical significant relationship between the laissez-faire leadership style and teachers’ morale. In addition, principals were found to dominantly practice the democratic leadership style and teachers’ morale was confirmed to be moderate in the Senior Secondary Schools. Base on the findings recommendations were made some of which are; Principals should be sent for in-service-training to study leadership in school; to organize workshops, seminars and conferences for principals of secondary schools on leadership styles; and to create awareness on the importance of teacher morale in school effectiveness.