The performance of women school managers in Zambia : the case of Mumbwa and kabwe Districts in Central Province

Abstract

The study was aimed at finding out the views of teachers and female managers on the performance of female managers in top management positions in selected basic and high schools of Mumbwa and Kabwe Districts of the Central Province. The sample consisted of eight High Schools, six Basic schools of Kabwe urban district and six Basic Schools of Mumbwa rural district. All the schools sampled were co-educational and managed by females. The sample had a total of twenty female managers who were purposively selected and one hundred and twenty male and female teachers who were selected using simple random sampling procedures. Two officers from the Ministry of Education Headquarters were also picked using the simple random method. Quantitative and qualitative techniques were used in collecting data. Data from the questionnaires were computer analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate tables of frequencies, percentages and graphs. Qualitative information from interviews were manually organised and coded in common themes. The themes were categorized and grouped together using the constant comparative analysis technique. Some of the following variables relevant to management performance were studied and examined: Facilitating the confirmation and promotion of teachers, provision of teaching/learning materials, Continuing Professional Development help given to teachers, delegation of work to subordinates transparency in the use of finances and Frequency of staff meetings The overall analysis showed that the performance of female managers in running schools was good. They facilitated the confirmation and promotion of teachers through recommendations to the Teaching Service Commission through the Hierarchy. All the teachers were confirmed in their positions and some were promoted to the position of deputy heads or senior teachers. In the monitoring and evaluation aspect, female managers checked teachers' preparation books occasionally. Three quarters of managers were transparent in the use of school finances and used financial committees chaired by Deputy Heads. The orientation programmes for new members were delegated to their subordinates. In relation to examinations, children performed well in final examinations in schools managed by female managers .The managers held staff meetings and briefings where they communicated the administrative programmes. The general view of the female school managers was that they performed well in their management duties.