Investigating the relationship between leadership styles of headteachers of basic schools and school climate in the Ahafo Ano north district

Abstract

This study is a descriptive survey, which sought to investigate the relationship between leadership styles of basic schools head teachers and school climate in Ahafo Ano North District. Five research questions were formulated to guide the study. A total of 90 respondents, comprising 18 head teachers and 72 head teachers in the Ahafo Ano north district were involved in the study. The main research instrument used to collect data was questionnaire. The study revealed, among other, that the males dominate in leadership positions as head teachers, males are found to play active roles in leadership and administrative positions than their female counterparts. Furthermore, head teachers exhibit authoritarian and controlling leadership style. This means teachers and pupils views are not taken into consideration in the running of the school. Also, leadership styles are perceived differently by both the leader and the followers. While the head teachers see themselves as democratic, most of the teachers perceived them otherwise. Recommendations made include; Ghana education service should make efforts to increase the number of women who hold positions as head teachers. Head teachers as leaders should be able to study the behavior of their teaching staff so as to know how to deal with them, effective monitoring should be done by the GES on the type of leadership styles prevailing in basic schools and there should be atmospheres devoid of favoritism and nepotism. Teachers should be allowed to operate freely based on competence and knowledge.