Leading for high perfomance in rural secondary schools

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the leadership roles of principals and their impact on the performance of two rural secondary schools at Tlakgameng Village. The study was aimed particularly at the leadership role of the principal and how it influences school performance, how the relationships between the principal, teachers and learners affects school performance and how the principal as a leader can encourage performance of both teachers and learners. Literature revealed that a school principal should possess various leadership qualities in order for the school to perform well. A principal should actively seek to motivate and develop educators by creating opportunities for them to grow and to learn from each other. To gather data, a quantitative investigation was employed. Questionnaires were used as a major data collection instrument. 55 questionnaires were distributed to all educators of both secondary schools in Tlakgameng. Data was analysed using simple statistical techniques such as frequencies and percentages. The findings of this study indicated that principals of secondary schools carried out leadership practices at a minimal level. The indication of the study was that principals in rural secondary schools need extensive empowerment in leadership practices. Lt was also evident from the data collected that communication between principals, educators and learners needs to be enhanced. On the basis of the findings from the study, recommendations were made to enhance the leadership roles that principals can play in order to improve the performance of school s.