Teachers’ Perception of the Leadership Competencies of Transferred Secondary School Headteachers in Central Uganda

Abstract

The study sought to explore teachers’ perception of Leadership competences of transferred head teachers in the Government aided secondary schools in the central Region of Uganda. The study focused on three objectives namely. To explore secondary school teachers’ perception of leadership competences of head teachers who requested, over stayed, forced and those whose transfer was as a result of promotion. This study was based on the phenomenological design where the study participants involve teachers, headteachers and commissioner secondary education and human resource departments of MoES. These participants were purposively selected. Interview guides were the data collection instruments. This data was analyzed using thematic data analysis technique. Results revealed that headteachers with emotional awareness, self-awareness, self-control, confidence, transparency, accountability skills, achievement, optimism and initiative used to be transferred using requested, overstay and at times were promoted to schools of high class as a means of transfer. Results also revealed that headteachers without leadership competencies like initiative self-confidence, who were not accountable, transparent, lacked emotional control among others used to be transferred using forced transfer means. Hence, the study concluded; that headteachers with leadership competencies (self-awareness, emotional control, transparency, accountability, achieving highly, having high confidence) among others are transferred using requested, overstay or promotion transfers while those that lacked these competencies were transferred by force.  The study therefore recommends that relevant stakeholders at MoES, Department of Secondary School Education, Board of Governors to do the following to improve on headteachers transfers: There is need to emphasize the headteachers to reflect on the leadership competencies desired in the current age. This would be done by; Organizing refresher training courses like workshops, study conferences, study leaves to ensure that these headteachers develop desired leadership competencies at school. Secondly there is need to sensitize headteachers on leadership competences desired in modern trends. Thirdly, there is also need to inform and alert headteachers of leadership incompetencies that could lead to forced transfer on the job. Finally, it was recommended that the key stake holders should monitor and supervise activities of head teachers to ensure that those who are transferred and offered promotion transfer are those who really need it especially considering effective leadership competencies as a basis for this transfer.

Key words: Teacher perceptions, Leadership competencies, Headteachers transfer, Requested transfer, Over stay transfer, Forced transfer and Promotional transfers.

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/16-3-19

Publication date: March 30^th 2025