TEACHERS’ PERCEIVED INFLUENCE OF COMMUNICATION PATTERN OF PRINCIPALS ON COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ABIA STATE

Abstract

This study was necessitated by the need to enhance courageous leadership in secondary schools in Abia State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. According to Dulock (1993), descriptive survey. It was guided by two research questions and one null hypothesis. Population comprised 4904 teachers in 250 public secondary schools in Abia State. Sample size of 490 was drawn through stratified proportionate random sampling technique for proper representation. Instrument for data collection was a questionnaire structured along 4- points rating scale of very high extent (VHE) high extent (HE), low extent (LE) and very low extent (VLE). It was face and content validated by three experts. A trial – test was conducted with a population outside the study area to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. Reliability of the instrument was 0.77 obtained using Cronbach's Alpha statistic. Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation while null hypothesis was tested using z-test statistic. Bench mark of 2.5 and above was for high extent while below it was for low extent. Findings are that ‘Y’ and ‘wheel’ communication patterns of principals influence courageous leadership to high extents and there is no significance difference between male and female teachers’ responses on the influence of ‘Y’ and ‘wheel’ patterns communication on courageous leadership. Based on the conclusion of the study, it was recommended that principals should adopt the appropriate use of ‘Y’ and ‘Wheel’ communication patterns for courageous leadership in public secondary schools.