FACTORS WHICH AFFECT THE LEADERSHIP EFFICACY OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE
P. L Ndamani1, Sheila N. Matoti2
1Central University of Technology, Free State, lndamani@cut.ac.za
2Central University of Technology, Free State, smatoti@cut.ac.za
Abstract
This study investigated personal as well as contextual factors which affect the leadership efficacy of Free State secondary school principals and, consequently, their leadership practices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 secondary school principals as a follow-up to a bigger study which assessed leadership efficacy of school principals in different dimensions of their leadership roles. The participants included sixteen (16) male principals and four (4) female principals selected from the five districts of the Free State province. Personal factors which were found to affect leadership efficacy of school principals positively included: years of experience as a principal, suitable qualifications and training in educational management; commitment and dedication towards one’s work. Personal factors which had a negative effect on leadership efficacy included lack of confidence and skills in certain aspects of management. The contextual factors that were identified were categorized into teacher-related problems, learner-related problems, school conditions, and factors outside the school such as the influence of the Department of Education officials as well as teacher unions. Some factors had a positive effect on the leadership efficacy of school principals while others had a negative effect. The identified factors are discussed in line with Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory as well as sources of efficacy which have been identified in literature. The study has shed some light into the role efficacy beliefs play in determining the leadership efficacy of school principals and consequently their leadership practices. The study will make a contribution towards the implementation of the key leadership roles that have been prescribed for school principals and published by the South African Department of Education in 2016. In this regard the study is relevant and timely in a South African context.
Keywords: Leadership efficacy, Leadership practices, Personal factors, Contextual factors, South Africa
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