Perceptions on management styles and utilization of selected resources in secondary schools

This study sought to analyze the perceived management styles and their perceptions in the optimal utilization of classrooms, teachers and time on task in selected secondary schools in Dar Es Salaam region. The study included respondents from six categories of secondary schools of which 63 schools were selected. The six categories were Community, Government, Non-Government, Muslim Seminaries, Christian Seminaries, and International secondary schools. The sample included 63 school heads, 162 teachers and 238 students making a total of 463 respondents. Four techniques/instruments were employed to obtain information that is questionnaires, observation schedules, interviews and documentary reviews. Data collected were processed and analyzed by use of the SPSS program and cross tabulations presented by use of contingent tables, figures absolute values and percentages. The Chi- Square test for testing categorical data was used for statistical significance. The findings showed that 50% of school heads, teachers and students opinions and perceptions reflected democratic management style to be the dominant style in the selected secondary schools. Other 50% of the respondents' opinions reflected a combination of teamwork (TW), laissez-faire (LZ), autocratic (AT), situational (ST), transactional (TS) and transformational (TF) management styles to be also used. However, it appeared that these styles were not mutually exclusive. Findings also unveiled that DM and TW management styles reflected the optimal utilization of classrooms, teachers and time on task in the selected secondary schools. LZ, AT, ST, TS and TF management styles were also perceived but not well articulated. School heads, teachers and students' opinions and perceptions when analyzed by the Chi-Square test; the values revealed that DM and TW styles were statistically significant throughout the three objectives. These opinions and perceptions could not be ignored. The Chi- Square test values on the perceptions regarding LZ, AT, ST, TS, and TF management styles were statistically not significant and could be ignored. The study recommends that insistence on the use of DM and TW styles in schools by heads be given in order to optimally utilize resources in secondary schools. It is also recommended that more studies be done on how AT ST, TS, and TF management styles can be reflected in the optimal utilization of classrooms, teachers, textbooks and time on task secondary schools.