INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPALS’ LEADERSHIP STYLES ON TEACHERS’ JOB SATISFACTION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NNEWI EDUCATION ZONE OF ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

This study examined the influence of principals’ leadership styles on teachers’ job satisfaction in secondary schools in Nnewi Education Zone Anambra State. Three research questions guided this study. A structured questionnaire titled influence of principals’ leadership styles on teachers’ job satisfaction (I P L S T J S) was developed by the researcher and was used as data instrument. The descriptive survey design was adopted with a sample of 180 study participants, made up of 30 principals and 150 teachers randomly selected from public and mission secondary schools in Nnewi Education Zone, Anambra State. The data collected was analysed using aggregate mean score and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The study findings identified three basic leadership styles adopted by different principals in different secondary schools in the area, such as Autocratic, Democratic and laissez-faire. Among the leadership styles exhibited by Nnewi Education Zone principals, the highest rating was given to autocratic leadership style. All the teachers expressed satisfaction with democratic leadership where as they were dissatisfied with autocratic and laissez – faire leadership styles. Also, the findings showed that the principals face leadership problems and challenges in the discharge of their administrative functions in Nnewi Education Zone in Anambra State. Based on the findings, it was concluded that principals’ leadership styles have great influence on teachers’ job satisfaction. The study recommended that the principals should adopt the needed leadership style preferably democratic leadership style in their schools to enhance teachers’ job satisfaction. The governments should address various challenges confronting principals as leaders of their various schools.