Headteachers’ management training programme and their competencies in management of the primary schools in North-West Nile, Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of the Headteachers’ Management Training Programme on the headteachers’ competencies in the management of the primary schools in North-West Nile, Uganda, in order to improve the teaching/learning process towards an improved pupil’ competencies in the region. The main objectives of the study were to: 1. Investigate the influence of training in educational management on the headteachers’ competencies in management of the primary schools in North-West Nile, Uganda. 2. Scrutinize the influence of training in personnel management on the headteachers’ competencies in management of the primary schools in North-West Nile, Uganda. 3. Analyse the influence of training in financial management on the headteachers’ competencies in management of the primary schools in North-West Nile, Uganda. 4. Examine the influence of training in school governance on the headteachers’ competencies in management of the primary schools in North-West Nile, Uganda. 5. Probe the influence of training in curriculum management on the headteachers’ competencies in management of the primary schools in North-West Nile, Uganda. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed. Three hundred ninety four respondents constituted the sample of the study. These included headteachers, teachers, Coordinating Centre Tutors and District Education Officers from the five Districts (Adjumani, Moyo, Yumbe, Koboko and Arua) of the study. The researcher used four types of research instruments; these included questionnaires, interviews, nominal group discussion and documentary analysis. The results revealed that there was a positive significant relationship between training in educational management and the headteachers’ competencies in management, a positive significant relationship between training n personnel management and the headteachers’ competencies in management, a positive significant relationship between training in financial management and the headteachers’ competencies in management, a positive significant relationship between training in school governance and the headteachers’ competencies in management and a positive significant relationship between training in curriculum management and the headteachers’ competencies in management. The conclusions of the study were that there was a positively significant influence between all independent variables (educational management, personnel management, financial management, school governance and curriculum management) of the study on headteachers’ competencies in management. Recommendations were made focusing mainly on the need to improve on the headteachers’ management knowledge and skills through practical and down to earth training in order to enhance on their management competencies so as to improve on the learners’ competencies.