| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study was to investigate how the head teachers' leadership styles influence motivation of pre-school teachers in public pre-schools in Embu North District. The study's objectives were to determine, examine and assess how Autocratic (Authoritarian), Democratic (Participatory), Laissez faire (Free reign) and Transformational (Charismatic) leadership styles influence motivation of pre-school teachers in public pre-schools in Embu North District. The study employed the use of descriptive research design. The researcher targeted all the 32 public pre-schools in Embu North District, with a target population and a sample size of 32 head teachers and 32 pre-school teachers from the 32 public pre-schools in the district.
The study adopted purposive sampling techniques to sample its respondents. Questionnaires for both the head teachers and pre-school teachers and interview schedules for pre-schools teachers were used for data collection. Validity and Reliability were ensured through pilot study and testing and re-testing methods respectively. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software (Statistical Package for Social Science). The research utilized descriptive analysis, and data was presented in form of frequency tables, percentages and thick descriptions.
This study was significant in that it makes the government, parents and the head teaches aware of tl,1e need to adopt a transformational leadership style in order to enhance motivation of pre-school teachers in public pre-schools and improve their working environment by involving them in decision making and in policy formulation in their schools. Other than the salary, the leadership and management would be provoked to give these teachers some other forms of incentives and fridge benefits, as well as meeting them more often so as to increase their morale.
The study findings showed that pre-school teachers led by head teachers who practice authoritarian and laissez faire style of leadership are demotivated to a large extent based on leadership factors singled out by the researcher. Where democratic and transformational leadership styles of leadership are practiced, the teachers are highly motivated and inspired.
The researcher recommends that head teachers should attend seminars and workshops that create awareness on the applicability of various types of leadership styles and how to motivate their teachers without compromising academic performance. The head teachers should meet and involve pre-school teachers more frequently in decision making and in pre-school policy formulation. Head teachers . should empower their staff through capacity building. Further study should be done 011 the influence of leadership styles on motivation of teachers in both primary mid secondary schools. | en_US |
