DECISION-MAKING STYLES AND ADMINISTRATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

The administration of Nigeria's secondary school system appears to have been plagued by several teething problems which seem to be impacting the performance of principals in operating the school system. With a large and growing number of students enrolled in schools today, principals have significant responsibilities in achieving school's objectives. The study investigated influence of principal's decision-making styles on the administrative effectiveness of secondary schools in the Ibadan Metropolitan Area. Two questions and hypotheses were raised and tested respectively; one thousand two hundred and fifteen
(1,215) teachers from public secondary schools in the Ibadan metropolitan area were sampled using Simple Random Sampling Technique. Descriptive Statistics of frequency counts and simple percentages as well as inferential statistics of Multiple Regression to answer research questions and test hypotheses respectively. Finding showed that level of administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis is moderate. 
In other words, discipline, supervision and delegation of duties are moderately carried out among principals and teachers. Also, findings showed that directive decision making is high among public secondary school principals while others are moderate. Further results showed a significant combined influence of directive, analytical, conceptual and behavioral) and communication styles (aggressive, assertive, passive and passive/aggressive) on administrative effectiveness in public secondary schools. Finally,
result of relative influence indicated that directive decision making style contribute the most to the dependent variable when considered separately. It was recommended among others that the government should guarantee that public secondary school principals get effective administration training, seminars, or workshops.