IMPACT OF SCHOOL PRINCIPALS' QUALIFICATION ON STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN BAUCHI STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of principals' qualification on students' academic performance in
senior secondary schools in Bauchi State. The study adopted the descriptive research designed of the
correlation type. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 out of 85 senior secondary schools
in Bauchi State. A combination of purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to select 30
principals, 27 vice principals(administration) and 17 vice principals (academic) as well as 359 teachers
from 30 senior secondary schools in Bauchi State making it a total of 433 subjects as participants to this
study. The instruments used to collect relevant data were Impact of Principals Qualification and
Students' Academic Performance Questionnaire (IPQSAPQ). National Examination Council (NECO) Result
Documentary Analysis Format was also used to analyse students' academic performance. The
instruments were pilot tested after experts have ascertained it contents validity. The reliability
coefficient was 0.73 for the self-designed questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using
Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). One hypothesis was formulated and tested. Pearson
Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Analysis Procedure was used to test the hypothesis. The
hypothesis was tested at 0.05 significant levels. The results of the analysis showed among others that,
there was significant impact of principals' qualification on students' academic performance. Based on
the findings, it was recommended among others that, school principals should be encouraged to go for
higher qualification to enable them keep in place appropriate leadership efficiency that will further
influence students' academic performance.