INFLUENCE OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP ON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

The research examined the impact of strategic leadership on educational outcomes in private and public secondary schools in Delta State. The study was guided by three questions and two hypotheses, respectively. The research employed a correlational survey design. The study's population consisted of 21,257 educators from private and public secondary institutions in Delta State. A total of 2,178 teachers, chosen through a stratified random sample method, participated in the study. A questionnaire was employed for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by three experts in the Department of Educational Management and Foundations, Delta State University. The questionnaire had a reliability coefficient of 0.73, established using Cronbach alpha. The data were analysed with mean, coefficient of determination and regression analysis. The results revealed: a significant relationship between strategic leadership and educational outcomes in both private and public secondary schools in Delta State; and a significant difference in leadership practices between the two sectors, with private schools demonstrating more effective strategic leadership that correlates with higher educational outcomes. The study findings led to the conclusion that strategic leadership not only serves as a catalyst for enhancing educational outcomes but also highlights the nuanced differences in its influence across different school types. The implications of this study are profound, calling for educational policymakers and school administrators to prioritize the development and implementation of strategic leadership practices, particularly in public schools, to bridge the gap in educational outcomes. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that the government should implement regular training programmes for public school leaders to enhance their strategic leadership skills.