Schools’ Heads Leadership Styles in Influencing Teacher Attrition in Public Secondary Schools in Tanzania: The Case of Kilimanjaro and Manyara Regions

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of heads of schools’ leadership styles on teacher attrition in public secondary schools in Kilimanjaro and Manyara regions. Specifically, the study aimed at examining the influence of heads of schools’ responsibilities and the influence of heads of schools’ leadership styles on teacher attrition. The study was guided by McGregor's theory and contingency theory. The study adopted cross-sectional research design. The sample size of this study was 140 respondents. The study adopted simple random and snowball sampling for in-service teachers and those who had left teaching respectively. Questionnaire was used during data collection. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and binary logistic regression. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. The findings revealed that autocratic leadership style had much influence on teacher attrition followed by Laissez-faire leadership style (p < 0.05). Also, the study found that heads of schools’ responsibilities influences teacher attrition (p<0.05). The study concluded that some of the heads of schools’ influence teacher attrition. The study recommends that heads of schools should avoid the use of autocratic leadership style. The head of school position should be advertised for qualified academicians to apply. Also, Heads of schools’ should attend short course for management and leadership style.