The Relationship between Head Teachers’ Authoritarian Leadership Style and Teachers’ Burnout in Secondary Schools in Ibanda Municipality, Ibanda District, Uganda

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between head teachers’ authoritarian leadership style and teachers’ burnout in secondary schools in Ibanda Municipality, Ibanda District, Uganda. A correlation study design was employed to determine the relationship between the authoritarian leadership style of head teachers and burnout of teachers. A hybrid approach integrating quantitative and qualitative research methodologies was also employed to handle both qualitative and quantitative data. Data was collected from 217 teachers using a self-administered questionnaire and 15 head teachers using an interview guide. The results show that there is a positive but moderate relationship between authoritarian leadership style and teacher burnout as indicated by the r=0.34. Therefore, a high level of burnout was linked to increase in authoritarian leadership style. The researcher recommends that the Ministry of Education and Sports should embrace and intensify refresher courses for head teachers to re-equip them with the best leadership practices that could help them avoid authoritarianism. Such re-equipping can be managed at seminars, workshops, and short courses in conjunction with teacher education institutions such as colleges and universities. This can equip the headteachers with the best leadership practices in the ever-changing dynamics of the education system. Therefore, the ministry and its partner agencies like National Curriculum Development Center and National Council for Higher Education should put in place sound curriculums in leadership skills and styles to ensure that serving head teachers are adequately and effectively trained to lead and manage the schools. It should not be done in a hurry and by use of trainers who are not knowledgeable. This will enable head teachers to avoid disastrous leadership styles such as authoritarianism and employ the best practices for managing burnout of their teachers. Keywords: Leadership Styles; Burnout, Relationship and Head Teachers