IMPACT OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP STYLE ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AT SECONDARY LEVEL

Abstract

This research examines the association between democratic school leadership styles and student academic achievement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, focusing on the Mardan region. Acknowledging the crucial role of leadership in shaping educational outcomes, our mixed-methods study, involving surveys and data analysis, assesses the influence of democratic leadership on secondary-level student achievement. For this purpose, this study design a particular questionnaire and distribute it among 118 selected secondary schools in district Mardan. The sample data were collected adhering to all standard operating procedures and subjected to rigorous statistical analysis. Specifically, t-tests and correlation analyses were performed, revealing a significant difference in school leadership means based on gender, as well as a positive correlation between dependent and independent variables. Additionally, ANOVA and regression analyses were executed, uncovering a substantial and positive influence of school democratic leadership on students’ academic achievement. The outcomes of this research study hold significance for enhancing educational practices, improving school leadership, and ultimately elevating the academic standards of students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study recommends that educational leaders should enhance effective democratic leadership approaches, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the region's education system and nurturing the academic growth of its students