Relationship betweeen headteachers' leadership styles and pupils' K.C.P.E performance in public primary schools in Kathonzweni Division, Makueni County-Kenya

Abstract

Education is an important investment. It empowers men and women and provides opportunities for active participation in development by inculcating knowledge, skills and attitudes that are compatible with sustainable development. The ultimate performance of a school is associated with good leadership styles of the head teachers. Literature shows head teachers' leadership styles impact on students' performance in Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (K.C.P.E). Majority of the pupils who sat for K.C.P.E. over the last five years in Kathonzweni Division had average marks. This is despite the schools having qualified teachers, adequate resources and facilities to enhance effective learning and good performance. This study aims at investigating the effects of head teachers' leadership styles on students' performance in K.C.P.E in. public primary schools in Kathonzweni division .The objectives of the study were; Establish the leadership styles of public primary school head teac hers in Kathonzweni division, Indicate the relationship between the leadership styles of head teachers and pupils' K.C.P.E performance in Kathonzweni division, determine whether there is any relationship between the head teachers' selected variables and their leadership styles and to examine whether exposing head teachers to in-service courses has any significant influence on their leadership styles. The study will adopt descriptive survey research design. All teachers, deputy head teachers and head teachers in all the public primary schools in Kathonzweni district are targeted. Ten head teachers, ten deputy head teachers and fifty teachers will be sampled from ten primary schools. Responses will be obtained using questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques will be utilized in data analysis. Findings are expected to reveal if there is a significant relationship between head teachers' leadership styles and students' academic performance.