Leadership and Management Competencies of School Heads: Basis for the Design of a Training Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to identify the leadership and management competencies of the elementary and secondary school heads in the Division of Lipa City and design a training proposal that will enhance their skills as leaders and managers.

METHODS

The participants of the study are the elementary and secondary school heads of the Division of Lipa City. There are 66 elementary school heads coming from the four districts, the North District, South District, West District, and East Districts and 15 from the secondary school heads. The main instrument used in this study is the National Competency-Based Standard for School Heads (NCBSSH) E-Tool. This study employed a mixed method of descriptive research, capitalizing on the strengths of quantitative and qualitative methods to provide more specific answers to the research problems.

RESULTS

Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that leadership and management competencies of school heads have an indirect effect not only on the performance of the school but also on the general well-being of the learning community. The relationships among the principal's leadership, student achievement, and school effectiveness are secondary, both in this study and in the literature. Moreover, the school heads do not affect individual students directly as teachers do through classroom instruction, but that activities of the school heads directed at school-level performance have trickle-down effects on teachers and students. Although the school head is the one who leads and manages the school, he or she is not in full control of how the teachers perform during the teaching and learning process. This reason holds true to the result of the national achievement test and the rest of indicators because if there are more incompetent teachers than competent ones, it is hard for the school head to manage it fully. However, through skillful strategizing the school head can do so but it would really take time.

DISCUSSIONS

In the light of the findings of this study, it is apparent that it is necessary to train school heads in specific leadership and managerial competencies. Efficiency in management competencies will ultimately lead to successful and efficient task accomplishment. The right knowledge, skills, and abilities (linked to the required management competence) can contribute to the achievement of most of the school heads' essential tasks and responsibilities.