TEACHER’S PERCEPTION OF PRINCIPALS’ EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT ABILITY IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BAYELSA STATE NIGERIA
1DIGHA O.N., 2DAVID O.A. AND 3MARCU, E.
1Department of Educational Management
Rivers State University of Science & Technology Port Harcourt, Nigeria
2 & 3Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education Sagbama, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this study was to examine the emotional management abilities of secondary school principals through the perception of teachers and the influence of this on
secondary school leadership in Bayelsa State. A descriptive survey design was adopted a sample size of 300. Teachers were randomly selected from six out of sixteen government owned
secondary schools in Bayelsa State. Out of the six schools used for the study, four are headed by male principals while the other two schools are headed by female principals. The main
instrument used for the study was a rating scale titled “Principal’s Emotional Management
Ability Rating Scale” (PEMARS) and “secondary school leadership practices inventory”
(SSLPT). The data were collected and analyzed using frequency counts, means standard deviation and percentages. t-test statistical and chi square (x2) statistical tools were used to
test hypotheses at the probability level of significance of P<O.05. The major findings of the study are that secondary school principals in Bayelsa State are perceived by their teachers to
have emotional management competencies needed in handling challenges, implementation of positive organizational changes and exhibition of effective leadership practices. Also they
were found to have emotional management ability in creating conducive teaching and learning environment that enhances collaboration and building of team work. Based on the
finding it was commended that the emotional intelligences test and emotional management competence training skill should be given to would be principals by school administrators for
effective evaluation and assessment before a school is given to them to head.
Keywords: Teachers, Perception; Principal, and Emotional.