Browsing by Author "Nzigilwa, Eusebius Alfred"

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    The role of school leaders in influencing students’ achievement in secondary schools
    (University of Dar es salaam, 2010) Nzigilwa, Eusebius Alfred
    This study is about the role of school leaders in influencing students’ academic achievement in secondary schools. It examined specific leadership tasks and practices that have great impact on students’ academic achievement. The study was conducted in Dar es Salaam and Coast regions, covering 8 secondary schools, 4 high performing and 4 low performing. Data were collected through documentary analysis, questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion. Quantitative data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics using SPSS programme. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The findings showed that there were significant differences between high performing and low performing schools in the manner in which their school heads fulfilled key leadership roles of articulating school mission and goals; recruiting qualified teachers and securing basic teaching and learning materials such as; textbooks and equipment, supervising instructional programme and monitoring students’ progress, motivating teachers and students, facilitating teacher professional development and creating an orderly and conducive environment for teaching and learning in schools. Heads of low performing schools were lagging behind in accomplishing this key management and leadership roles.The recommendations arising from the study include, on the part of the Government, to provide adequate qualified and motivated teachers as well as basic teaching and learning materials to schools, and leadership training and capacity building programmes to school heads. On the part of school heads, they should closely supervise the teaching and learning process in schools, monitor students’ progress, and provide incentives and motivations to teachers and students so as to reinforce their performance and commitment towards realization of school mission and goals.