Demographic Variables as determinants of Head Teachers Administrative Practices in Public Primary schools in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated demographic variables as determinants of head teachers’ administrative practices in public primary schools in Edo state. To guide the study, four research questions were raised. Research question 1 was answered directly while 2 to 4 were hypothesized and tested at 0.05 alpha level. This study was a survey research that adopted correctional design.  The population of the study was one thousand and forty-two (1042) public primary schools and the one thousand and forty-two (1042) head teachers in Edo State.  The multi-stage method was adopted to select the sample size. A questionnaire titled: “demographic variables as determinants of head teachers’ administrative practices questionnaire (DVDHTAPQ)” which had two sections A and B was used to collect data for the study.  Analyses were carried out using mean, standard deviations, ranks and independence T-test statistics. The findings from the analysis of the study revealed that the common administrative practices of head teachers in primary schools in Edo state were: instructional management, staff personnel administration, student personnel administration, school plant management, financial management and School-community relations; The study revealed that there is no significant difference in the administrative practices of head teachers in primary schools in Edo state based on gender. The finding further showed that there is a significant difference in the administrative practices of head teachers in primary schools in Edo state based on age and educational qualifications. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Age and Qualification should be considered as a factor when appointing head teachers in primary schools in Edo state. However, Gender should not be considered as a factor when appointing head teachers because the administrative practices of head teachers in primary schools in Edo state do not differs based on gender. Keywords: Demographic Variables, Head Teachers, Administrative Practices.