Instructional leadership practices of headteachers in basic schools in the techiman municipality

Abstract

The focus of the study was to determine instructional leadership practices of headteachers in the Techiman Municipality. To achieve this purpose, the descriptive research design with a mixed method approach was adopted for the study. The Krejcie and Morgan’s table of random numbers was used to select a total number of 236 headteachers to responds to the questionnaires and the convenient sampling technique was used to select five (5) headteachers for the interview. Quantitative data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and the qualitative data were analysed thematically (using themes derived from the responses) based on the research questions. It was found that, providing counselling services to teachers is necessary to ensure that teachers are psychologically sound to carry out their duties effectively. Training in areas like financial management, technology and school administration are essential to Headteachers but was found to be deficient in this study and inadequate school infrastructure. The qualitative data further revealed that some classrooms are in a very bad state. Also, it was revealed in this study that there is a need for headteachers to take up further studies to broaden their knowledge and understanding for effective leadership practices. The study recommended that, the GES should plan effective in-service training for headteachers aligned with the administration's mission and vision, the government, non-governmental organizations, and school alumni should provide scholarship opportunities for headteachers to further their studies and sponsorship packages to help the school develop.