AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF ROLE OF LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS IN RURAL SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Leadership style has profound effect on school performance and academic outcomes. The current study was aimed at identifying, analyzing, and evaluating role and type of leadership as a major determinant of school performance in four rural sectors of Islamabad. A total of 83 primary and secondary rural schools out of a total population of 275 schools were selected through multiple stage sampling technique. Semi structured questionnaire was administered from respective heads and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression models. The results varied for both primary and secondary schools. The results of the study showed that most of the heads in primary schools adopted democratic type of leadership and results were found to be significant in primary schools’ performance; while transformational type of leadership was found effective in secondary schools’ performance. The study recommends that bottom up and inclusive approach is essential for formulating education policies and implementation in rural areas and leadership trainings need to be customized according to school needs. Transformational leadership style proved effective in secondary schools. School heads need consistent leadership trainings to further build their capacities.