Headteachers Application of Theory X Management Strategies and Retention of Qualified Teachers in Private Secondary Schools

Abstract

The study examined the effect of headteachers application of Theory X management strategies of retention of qualified teachers in private secondary schools in Manafwa District in the Bugisu sub-region in eastern Uganda. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of application of strong directive management strategy on retention of qualified teachers; the effect of tight controls management strategy on retention of qualified teachers; and the effect of application of close supervision on retention of qualified teachers in private secondary schools in Manafwa District. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design in which both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect data from a total of 189 respondents. The respondents were selected using purposive and simple random sampling and data was gathered using a self-administered questionnaire and face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics generated using the Statistical Package for Social Scientistis (SPSS - ver 20) while the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic and content analysis. The study found out that for objective one, at .280; p=.000 < .05; for objective two, at .024; p=.043 < .05; and for objective three, at .343; p=.000 < .05. the multiple regression revealed that headteachers application of theory X management strategies accounted for 71.5% of retention of qualified teachers in the private secondary schools in Manafwa District. The study concluded that most headteachers in the private secondary schools in Manafwa District sometimes applied the strong directive management strategy and that there is a weak significant effect of application of strong directive management strategy on retention of qualified teachers in the private secondary schools in Manafwa District. A reasonable proportion of headteachers in the private secondary schools in Manafwa District applied the tight control management strategy and there is a weak significant effect on retention of qualified teachers in the private secondary schools in Manafwa District. Many more headteachers in the private secondary schools in Manafwa District applied the close supervision management strategy and there is a strong significant effect on retention of qualified teachers in the schools. The study recommends among other things that the headteachers should avoid or minimize use of the strong directive management strategy because despite having a significant effect, the strategy can easily cause strikes in schools. The strikes can be destructive in the end and ultimately affect the education of students. Also, the headteachers should only use tight controls only when necessary for instance when dealing with the lazy teachers so as to make them work.

Key words: Theory X management strategies, retention of qualified teachers, private secondary schools, Manafwa district.