LEADERSHIP QUALITIES OF HEAD TEACHERS AND DISCIPLINE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ENUGU SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE OF NIGERIA

The purpose of this paper is to determine the leadership qualities of Head teachers in primary schools and how these qualities impact on staff and pupils discipline and performances in Schools. Primary Schools are beset by problems which interfere with the positive expectations in the education system. These problems require Head Teachers whose leadership qualities will transform the system and instill discipline that will make teachers to be more effective in handling the children. Leadership is about managing human and material resources effectively with a view to achieve organizational goals. So a leader should be initiative, quick to identify problems, create friendly atmosphere with staff and students, dispel rumours, supervise and delegate authority. The leader should also make people part of the decision making process, marry staff initiative with existing development plans and create good school-community relationships. Where a head teacher exhibits these qualities discipline will be a basic issue and obedience will be systematically derived from subordinates. This systematic obedience which discipline creates will make way for school progress and high achievement for pupils. A teachers’ questionnaire has been designed to elicit information on the leadership qualities of the Head Teachers and the leadership strategies adopted in the various schools.

The items are structured on a three point scale:
Often – 3,
Sometimes – 2,
Never – 1.

The data analysis adopts means. The conclusion, recommendations and implications are based on the findings.