Performance of Public Secondary Schools in the Delivery of Good Governance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

All public schools around the country are mandated to apply the principles of school-based management (SBM) as a governance framework in managing an institution. This study investigated the level of institutional performance among secondary schools of Lanuza district in delivering good governance based on the SBM dimensions namely: leadership and governance, curriculum and instruction, accountability and continuous improvement, and management of resources.

METHODS

It employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches in gathering data and surveyed ninety school personnel of the five secondary schools of Lanuza.

RESULTS

The results of this study indicated that four of the school's understudy are categorized in the developing level, and only one school is under the beginning stage of SBM implementation. Findings led to the following conclusions: there is a significant difference in the level of institutional performance of the schools in delivering good governance; there is a significant difference in the performance of schools in the SBM principles as perceived by the teacher-staff respondents except in the fourth principle which focuses in the management of resources. There are various governance issues experienced by the schools in the context of SBM implementation that hindered schools to reach the advanced level of practice. These issues include lack of trainings among personnel and stakeholders, low participation of stakeholders, unclear definition of roles and responsibilities, difficulty to organize data banking, and insufficient cooperation among school personnel and stakeholders.

DISCUSSIONS

The researcher further concludes that secondary schools of Lanuza district still need capacity building activities to become fully oriented and guided on how to fulfill the success indicators of SBM. There should be a harmonious relationship between the school personnel and community to maximize the support of stakeholders in education services, achieve high institutional performance and reach the advanced stage in the SBM implementation.