AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

According to the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s National Policy on Education, Federal Ministry of Education, education is the most powerful tool for seeking redress (2004). It is also the most significant investment that any country can make to accelerate the development of its economic, political, sociological, and human resources. This implies that qualitative and quantitative education are required for every society’s or nation’s political, economic, and social transformations. Education is frequently regarded as the foundation and cushion of economic growth and progress. The Nigerian government believes that the most important factor in surviving in the global economy is the quality of education and its environment. Because of the foregoing, this study believes that the quality of a school environment, Its prevailing atmosphere, surroundings, and other factors are a morale booster and strengthener for its members’ feelings of belonging, caring, and goodwill. According to Harris and Lowery (2002), the school environment is a collection of workplace features that employees encounter and have a significant influence on their working behavior. These workplace qualities include, but are not limited to, leadership, motivation, discipline, communication, school-community relations, facilities, materials, character, tone of the school, or the internal quality of a school as experienced by its members and observed by visitors. Shore Anoly (1995) identified seven key characteristics of high-quality educational environments. Leadership, a clear and focused goal, a safe and orderly environment with Among them are high expectations and discipline, regular monitoring of students’ progress, strong home-school interactions and learning opportunities, and student time on task. The quality of a school’s leadership has a significant impact on its success or failure. The role of school leadership as a component of the school environment is to influence the group toward achieving group objectives. Because no two leaders govern their schools in the same way, leadership becomes an important component of the school environment for change. Another aspect of the school environment is educational-community connections. According to Akpakwu Ibe (2008), school community relations can be defined as the level of understanding and goodwill established between the school and the community. Secondary school principals face unique challenges. administration, including, among other things, ineffective leadership styles, poor school-community ties, a lack of discipline, and a lack of enthusiasm for teachers and students. As a result, students’ academic achievement has suffered, and instructors are unwilling to give their all. As the school’s administrator, the principal is accountable for the school’s success or failure. The principal, on the other hand, must ensure that the numerous issues confronting the newly established secondary school do not impede effective service delivery and the production of high-quality products. Because of the large number of primary school dropouts, newly built secondary schools have been established, and existing ones have been expanded, making the problem of administrative issues encountered by school administrators a major concern (Atieno Gladys,2010). Educational administrators face a variety of challenges.

Their institutions’ day-to-day operations are hampered by obstacles. These issues determine the degree and efficacy of the school’s management and administration.

1.2 THE PROBLEM’S STATEMENT

The transmission of good values and collected knowledge from generation to generation would be jeopardized if the educational sector, which serves as a reservoir, does not receive the attention it deserves. Human resources that would have replenished the reduced manpower supply would be depleted in the absence of competent educational institutions (Atieno Gladys, 2010). This scholar believes that the recent expansion of education in Nigeria is unprecedented in the country’s educational history. The explosion has caused a rethinking of the quality of the school environment as well as its impact on school administration. A principal is a person in charge of a school.

Identify the environmental challenges affecting secondary school principals’ performance.

to assess the impact of the community around the school on principals

administrative duties performance

To make recommendations on how to improve secondary school principals’ administrative performance.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

The following study questions have been prepared:

Does infrastructure influence secondary school principals’ performance of administrative duties?

What are the environmental challenges affecting principals’ performance in secondary school administration?

Is the community surrounding the school influencing principals’ administrative performance?

What are the recommendations for improving secondary school principals’ administrative performance?

1.5 THE STUDY’S IMPORTANCE

This research will be important in the following ways:

This research will be significant for the

The findings may highlight the factors that impede principals’ performance in their administrative duties. This study may be of practical use in assisting principals of public day secondary schools in overcoming challenges and thus improving high quality management.

This study will also be important to the Ministry of Education because the study findings may be useful in determining the challenges that public day secondary schools face and thus developing strategies to address those challenges. Donors, financiers, and well-wishers may use the study’s findings to identify areas that need to be improved so that better mechanisms for improving education management and administration for effective school operation can be put in place.

This research will be

It is important to the academic community because it will add to the existing literature on principal administrative skills.

1.6 STUDY OBJECTIVES

The study will look at how infrastructure affects principals’ ability to perform administrative duties in secondary schools. The research will also look into the environmental challenges that affect principals’ performance in secondary school administration. The study will look into the impact of the community around the school on the performance of principals in their administrative duties. Finally, the study will make recommendations on how to improve secondary school principals’ administrative performance. As a result, this study will be limited to Kebbi state.

1.7 THE STUDY’S LIMITATIONS

The researchers encountered minor constraints while conducting the study, as with any human endeavor. Inadequate funds can stymie progress.

the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher chose a moderate sample size. Furthermore, the researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. As a result, the time spent researching will be reduced.

1.8 TERM DEFINITION

The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates are referred to as the environment.

The act of presenting a play, concert, or other form of entertainment is known as performance.

Administration: the process or activity of running a company, organization, or other entity.