MANAGING PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN A VOLATILE ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA NORTHEAST ZONE: IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATION LEADERS

Abstract

School leaders’ effectiveness and conducive learning environment are devoid of threat, fear, and loss of life and properties enhance the achievement of educational goals with students’ academic performance. This study aims to determine school leaders’ perceptions and current understanding of managing schools in a volatile environment and the policies guiding school management in a volatile context. To gather data, semi-structured interviews with five purposively selected principals in the Northeast of Nigeria were conducted which were later transcribed and analysed with content analysis. The findings showed school leaders’ approaches to managing public schools in a volatile environment as there were no policies in place on school administration in a volatile context. The findings also reveal the inadequacy of security in schools and the inadequacy of training of security personnel. The study concludes that stakeholders should put in place appropriate measures to safeguard life and properties.