INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPALS’ LEADERSHIP STYLES ON TEACHER RETENTION IN PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN UASIN-GISHU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Teacher turnover is a problem affecting both public and private secondary schools globally. Many researchers have come up with various strategies for teacher retention. The aspect of the principals’ leadership style has not come out clearly as one of such strategies. Therefore this study investigated the influence of the principals’ leadership style on teacher retention. The study was guided by the following research questions: (i) Which leadership styles are commonly used by school principals in Uasin-Gishu County in the running of institutions? (ii) What causes teacher turnover in private secondary school in Uasin-Gishu County? (iii) To what extent do the principal’s leadership styles affect teacher retention in private secondary schools? (iv) How can principals increase teacher retention in private schools in the county? The research employed the mixed approach research methods. The quantitative research design used was cross-sectional survey design, and naturalistic phenomenology for qualitative research design. The target population consisted of principals and teachers with the sample consisted of 12 principals and 72 teachers and 3 District Quality and Assurance Officers. The sampling techniques that were used to select the sample were purposive sampling technique, stratified sampling technique and simple random sampling technique. Data from respondents was collected using interview guides, questionnaires and document analysis guides. The data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented in tables of frequencies, means, percentages, graphs and pie charts. Qualitative data was organized into themes and presented in a narrative form and direct quotations. The findings of the study showed the various leadership styles used by principals, with democratic type being commonly used. There were different causes for teacher turnover, some touched on the principals’ leadership style while others did not. Examples of those which touched on the principals’ leadership style include lack of support from the administration and too much supervision. Those outside the principals’ leadership style include poor working conditions and poor remuneration among others. The study also showed that the commonly used leadership style which was democratic style promoted high teacher retention as compared to autocratic and laissez faire leadership styles. Teacher retention strategies that came out of the study included motivation of teachers, salary increment, including teacher in decision making and appreciating them among others. The study recommended that private schools need to develop policies on teacher retention to govern all private secondary schools and that private school management should offer competitive pay packages and other benefits to reduce teacher turnover in these schools.