Abstract:
This mix-method study aimed to investigate the conception of leadership
effectiveness at secondary school level in Sindh Pakistan. The Leadership Challenges, the
Impact of existing System Support and Leadership Coping Approaches were thoroughly
explored. The population of this study was based on 448 (both male and female from
rural and urban areas) heads of secondary schools of 9 districts of Hyderabad directorate
of schools. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews, and then focus
group
discussions.
Thus,
box-oriented
Sindh
Leadership
Challenges
Survey
Questionnaire [SLCSQ-2013] and Impact of System Support and Leadership Coping
Approaches Survey Questionnaire [ISSLCASQ-2013) were developed on the basis of
initially collected qualitative data. These Questionnaires were then administered to a wide
randomly selected stratified sample of 90 subjects of same population to justify the
qualitative data. Major findings of this study reveal that school heads are experiencing
serious challenges in many areas of their administration: authority and power, district
school relationship, instructional leadership practice, financial management, conduct of
annual exams, staff union relationship and community relationship. They are highly
challenged by bureaucratic and political forces in performing different leadership roles.
They face lack of existing system support in face of such challenges. This study also
revealed that heads of schools use various Leadership Coping Approaches: documenting,
performing teaching role, dealing according to the professional level of the staff, adopting
flexibility in authority and power and reconciliatory approach etc to deal with challenges.
Keywords: Leadership Challenges, School leaders, Context, System Supporting
Strategies, Leadership Coping Approaches (Strategies and Styles)
