Master of Arts (Educational Management)

This study presents the teachers' perceptions of the leadership qualities of the heads of department in a neighbourhood school. It discusses and gives form to some important and essential qualities or attributes of leadership, both innate or acquired in nature.

The main research questions for the study are as follows :

1. Are the secondary school teachers' perceptions of the leadership qualities of heads of department associated with the roles and responsibilities stipulated by the Ministry of Education for all official heads of department?
2. What qualities do secondary school teachers perceive as the essential and important leadership qualities of effective heads of department?
3. Do principals and heads of department in schools possess similar leadership qualities to perform essential leadership roles in effective secondary schools?
4. Are the secondary school teachers' perceptions of leadership qualities of heads of department related to the effective performance of departmental responsibilities?

The study instruments include interviews with teachers, observations of interactions between teachers with their heads of departments and a survey questionnaire based on leadership qualities provided by some of the school teachers. The results reveal that teachers of the neighbourhood school generally believe that their heads of department need to possess or develop some, if not all the leadership qualities to assist the principal in establishing the school vision and setting goals related to the accomplishment of the vision. These qualities may be associated to the roles and responsibilities stipulated by the Ministry of Education. Some of these qualities include being realistic, encouraging, knowledgeable, organised and decisive. Few of these leadership qualities are common to those of the principals. The heads of department may need to acquire some of the leadership qualities that are necessary for the effective performance of their roles and responsibilities. The findings of the study, while not universally applicable, present an initial list of potential leadership qualities essential for heads of department to perform their roles and responsibilities.