School Leadership: Role of Age and Gender in the Principal’s Religiosity

Abstract

This study explored the principals’ age and gender as factors in his religiosity and leadership.   Concerns have been raised on the leadership of secondary schools in Nandi County. Lack of good leadership in sub county, county and even extra county schools has lead loss of property in these schools and if this is allowed to continue, some schools may be forced to close down. Would a principal’s religiosity help? Is religiosity affected by age and gender? Ex- post facto research design guided the research whose target population was principals, teachers and student leaders of secondary schools in Nandi County.  Stratified and simple random sampling was used to sample schools, teachers and student leaders.  The study used three data collection methods; questionnaire, interview schedule, and content analysis guide. Experts were consulted to determine the content validity of instruments.  Reliability was determined by use of Cronbach’s alpha technique giving a value of 0.715 and Hypotheses 1&2 on age and gender were tested using t-test and analysis of variance. To determine relationship between religiosity and both age and gender, t- tests was carried out. The findings showed that one’s religiosity did no change with age, but it depended on gender. Female principals would be preferred in relation to integrity concerns. Principals should meet a minimum requirement in terms of education, experience and level of religiosity to be allowed to run schools. The findings of the study may be applied in drafting a better policy on principals’ appointment.

Key words: Principal, Religiosity, Age, Gender, School Leadership.