Transformational Leadership and Academic Performance of Secondary Schools in Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this thesis was to examine how a leadership style adopted by headteachers influences academic performance in secondary schools. Specifically, the study investigated the influence of transformational leadership attributes on academic performance in public and private secondary schools. Using a positivist research paradigm, the study employed a survey design with a quantitative research method. Data was collected from 312 private and public secondary schools in the central region of Uganda using a MLQ questionnaire. Data analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the SPSS software. Multiple linear regression was conducted to examine how transformational leadership traits influence UCE and UACE academic performance in secondary schools. The findings of the study demonstrated that transformational leadership attributes of headteachers significantly influence academic performance of schools both at UCE and UACE Level. Idealized influence and behavior significantly influenced academic performance at UCE (β=0.191, P=0.019) while at UACE, Idealized influence and behavior (β=0.124, P=0.016) influenced school academic performance in public secondary schools. In Private schools performance at UCE was influenced by Idealized influence and behavior (β=-0.140, P=0.024) and Inspirational motivation (β=0.154, P=0.025) while UACE, performance was influenced by both Idealized influence and behavior (β=-0.144, P=0.010) and Intellectual stimulation (β=0.129, P=0.022). Therefore, headteachers’ transformational leadership attributes play a crucial role in determining academic performance in secondary schools at UCE and UACE whether private or public secondary schools. The study recommends that head teachers embrace and adopt transformational leadership attributes to enhance academic performance in schools.