Improving School Leadership through Short Term Trainings: Implications for Quality of Education

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was the evaluation of the effectiveness of short-term trainings for improvement of the quality of school leadership exhibited by principals in their schools. It also tried to analyze what effect such short-term training have on the quality of education rendered to students in their respective schools. To this end, it has employed a correlational descriptive survey design to conduct the study. Study participants were selected using stratified and simple random technique after sample size was determined using formula. A self developed questionnaire was used to collect data form respondents. The collected data was analyzed using both qualitatively and quantitatively; qualitative data was analyzed descriptively using narrative analysis while quantitative data was analyzed using Pearson correlation and one sample t-test.  Generally, the short term trainings organized and the topics they addressed were job relevant and enhance the provision of quality of education in the region. there is satisfaction with the content as well as the manner of short-term trainings offered and also there is improvement in the principals' practice of school leadership and overall satisfaction with the practice of school leadership. The respondents are happy with trainer's competence & training methodology but they are not happy with training environment. Short term trainings have enabled trainees to grow as a professional on top of enabling them to acquire knowledge and skills that can directly be applied to the job they are doing. There is support and requirement to implement and report on the directors and supervisors while teachers do not have the support and requirement to report on the implementation of what is learnt from short term trainings. Almost all teachers, directors and supervisors believe that short term trainings contribute to the enhancement of quality of education in the region. It was concluded that short term trainings are improving the leadership capacity of school leaders and should be organized and offered to those involved in school leadership. Such trainings need to be organized after thorough need analysis is conducted by concerned bodies. It was recommended that need analysis to identify training needs of school leader and staff should be conducted before short-term trainings are organized. Moreover, there should be conducive environment for the implementation of skills and knowledge learnt from these trainings. There should be a requirement to establish accountability for results so that those trained exhibit the behavior developed through these training and bring about change on the work they perform.