Contribution of leadership practices on students’ learning outcomes in Kinondoni municipality secondary schools.

This study assessed the contribution of school leadership practices on students’ learning outcomes in Kinondoni Municipality secondary schools. Specifically, the study assessed the extent to which school leadership practices had significant contribution on the students’ learning outcomes in Kinondoni Municipality; the different kinds of leadership practices in schools found in Kinondoni Municipality; and assessed the challenges facing school leadership. The literature review revealed that in both developed and developing countries, leadership practices were important in enhancing students' academic performance, particularly those that are more flexible, participatory and collegial. The study adapted a modified framework from Hallinger (2011). The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection to get more information and experiences from teachers and students on the contribution of leadership practices on students’ learning outcomes. It uses interview, questionnaires, documentary review, focus group discussion and observation as instruments of data collection. The collected data was then subjected to content analysis for qualitative data and SPSS for quantitative data. The findings show that setting directions, developing people, redesigning of the organisation and managing teaching and learning were leadership practices that enhances students learning outcomes. And thus, the school leaders whose leadership practices were effective were those who produce the best students’ learning outcomes and vice versa. On the other hand, heads of school encountered challenges in the process of enforcing the leadership practices. These challenges included lack of participation among parents, difficulties in managing behaviour and attendance of both teachers and students, strategic management of financial, human and physical resources and heavy teaching loads among science teachers. The strategies employed by heads of school to deal with such constraints included guidance and counselling, use of part-time teachers, awareness raising among parents on the importance of a child’s education, and effective and optimal utilisation of the available resources. The study concluded that effective school leadership practices enhance students’ learning outcomes. Furthermore, heads of school should also be empowered by being provided with concrete support to enhance their professional skills. The study findings have contributed to the existing body of knowledge on the school leadership practices and students’ learning outcomes. And thus its effectiveness on producing best academic performance depends up on the situation and ability of the leaders to enforce the leadership practices. Furthermore, due to resource constrains and time limit, the study was confined to some few selected schools in Kinondoni Municipality secondary schools. It is recommended that similar studies should be carried out in more districts and more schools to get the broader understanding of the contribution of leadership practices on students’ learning outcomes.