Abstract:
The study assessed the Influence of Gender of School Heads on the Academic Performance in the Beast Public Secondary Schools in Tanga Municipality. The study is predominantly qualitative with some quantitative elements in a descriptive survey design. The sample comprised 1 DEO, 5 HoS, 5 AT, 25 teachers and 35 students which made a total number of 71 respondents. Data were generated through documentary review, questionnaire, interviews, and observations. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis and quantitative data were analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The result from the study revealed that leaders managing best secondary schools have been sensitive when dealing with student's academic matters, have been treating both teachers and students fairly, they have been delegating powers to their subordinates as well as encouraging teachers and students in the teaching and learning process. The analysis of the data led into the conclusion that both male and female heads have influence on student's academic performance. However, female heads are good in using democratic leadership style, abiding rules and regulations, making follow ups/supervising students and teachers in academic matters while male heads were good in autocratic leadership and have extra time for supervision and maintain school-community relation better than men. Other factors that influence the academic performance are the availability of physical facilities, teaching and learning materials, adequate number of qualified teachers, school location as well as good school-community relations. The study ends up with the recommendations that there should be equal consideration of men and women in school leadership position.
