The effectiveness of the principal's leadership styles on teacher commitment in the years 2016 and 2017 as percieved by teachers of a southern atoll school in the Maldives / Aminath Nishwa

Abstract

Principal's effective leadership style and teacher commitment are the most important two elements for a successful school. In this regard, teacher commitment is vital to the accomplishment of the school goals. Along with that, teacher commitment can be gained by applying effective leadership styles. Principals differentiate in their values, attitudes and behaviors and the way they lead their employees based on the context. This study examines the effectiveness of the principals' leadership styles on teachers' commitment from teachers' perspective. A qualitative case study was used to explore the issue in one of the primary school of a southern atoll in the Maldives. A single school was purposefully selected for the study and five participants took part, to whom all were teachers of the selected school. The findings of study showed that the perceived leadership styles of the principal were autocratic leadership style and laissez-faire leadership style. This study also has revealed that the principal did not have a constant value system as some the teachers could not identify it because of the inconsistency and fluctuating behaviours of the principal. In conclusion to the study, research implication and areas for further research have been highlighted which would assist the school principals, educational policymakers and all the stakeholders at large.