Head Teachers Management Dimensions and Resource Management in the Secondary Schools of Iringa District, Iringa Region, Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the relationship between the head teachers’ management dimensions and resource management in secondary schools of Iringa District. It particularly sought to determine the effect of the head teachers’ management dimensions in the areas of Finance, Leadership and Curriculum management as was conceived in their school vision, proactive orientation and conflict resolutions, decisiveness and decision making, management, planning, control and standards, raising work standard and their district image. The study was based on the open system theory which proposes that a school, just like any open organization is informed from different units that must function in unison to produce the desired graduate. Therefore, the head teachers’ management dimensions, exercised in the area of Finance, Leadership and Curriculum management during the study contributed much on the influence of resource management in the secondary schools. The study was conducted through a cross sectional sample survey design, using questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion. Data was collected between December, 2009 and June of 2010 from 184 respondents from Iringa District. The data was analysed using means, standard deviations, percentage distribution and ANOVA techniques. A sample of 235 Secondary schools teachers were involved, 25 head of schools, 185 teachers and 15 school board members participated in the study by completing a self administered questionnaire. This study was conducted from December, 2009 to June, 2010 through questionnaires, interviews, focus group xii discussion from students, teachers, head teachers, Board members and parents of private and public secondary schools in Iringa District. The findings of the study revealed that there are significant difference in the level of financial management among head teachers in between private and public schools in Iringa District. As the calculated value of F0 = 54.7553 (private) and F0 =255.012 (public) (critical)F~ = 1.92 at 5% level with degree of freedom (13, 56). Also it was proved that there is significant difference in the level of leadership among head teachers in between private and public schools in Iringa District as was proved by ANOVA techniques, F0 = 43.3773 (private) and F~ = 205.6935 (public) at 5% level with degree of freedom (22, 92). Last but not the least the study also revealed that there is significant difference in the level of curriculum management among head teachers in between private and public schools in Iringa District. F0 = 50.8119 (private) and F0 = 217.7546 (public) at 5% level with (57, 232) degree of freedom. From the findings the researcher recommends that design a plan for financial and non — financial rewards to recognize and motivate employees for high productivity levels are highly needed. There should be regular seminars and workshops for teachers and head teachers on desirable leadership behaviors. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title

Declaration A

Declaration B

Approval iv

Dedication v

Table of contents vii

List of tables x

Abbreviations xi

Abstract xii

CHAPTER ONE: THE PROBLEM AND iTS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study 1

Statement of the Problem 3

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Objectives 3

Research Questions 4

Hypothesis 4

Scope 5

Significance of the Study 5

Operational Definitions of Key Terms 6

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 8

Introduction 8

Theoretical Perspectives 15

Related Studies 19

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .20

Research Design 20

Research Population 20

Sample Size 21

Sampling Procedure 21

Research Instrument 21

Validity and Reliability of the Instrument 23

Data Gathering Procedures 25

Data Analysis 25

Ethical Considerations 26

Limitations of the Study 27

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA 28

Overview/Introduction 28

Profile of the Respondents 28

Level of management dimensions of the head teachers 31

Significant differences in the level of financial management, leadership

and curriculum management among head teachers between private and

public schools in Iringa District 33

Verification of hypothesis 34

CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS 42

Introduction 42

Findings 43

Conclusions 44

Recommendations 45

References .49

Appendices 57

Appendix I - Transmittal Letter 58

Appendix II - Research Instrument 59

Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 86