Perceptions of leadership effectiveness in schools for children who are blind or have low vision in Nigeria

Abstract

This study used the standard-based essential behavioural leadership qualities (EBLQ) method of leadership assessment, to determine leadership effectiveness of the principals of the schools for children who are blind and have low vision in Nigeria, from the perspective of the teachers of these schools. The four-stage method of leadership assessment of the EBLQ method was used to analyze data (N = 271) collected through availability sampling, to determine leadership effectiveness of the principals relative to levels of essentiality of EBLQ items. Findings show a pattern of incongruence between rankings of essentialities and effectiveness of the principals on the EBLQ items. The principals were perceived most effective in having ‘excellent educational qualifications’ which was ranked fourth as essential for leadership effectiveness. The principals were also rated twentieth on ‘timely payment of salary’, which was ranked most essential for leadership effectiveness. Overall effectiveness of the principals, however, was described as exemplary. This study is expected to contribute to much-needed studies on leadership in the schools for the blind in Nigeria, as well as provide a coaching effect for the principals of these schools.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. Olu Oyinlade

A. Olu Oyinlade, PhD, is an industrial/organizational sociologist, applied demographer, and professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA. Email: [email protected]. His research and consulting activities are in organization behaviour and development with a special focus on employee performance improvement, leadership effectiveness assessment, change management, programme evaluation and diversity planning and management.

Paul M. Ajuwon

Paul M. Ajuwon, PhD, is coordinator of the Blindness and Low Vision Programme and the Orientation and Mobility Programme at Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, USA. Email: [email protected]. Prior to his current position, Dr Ajuwon was the principal/director of the statewide Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind in Gooding, ID, USA. He also worked for several years as a special education consultant in the Cleveland Municipal School District of Ohio, USA. His research interests include: leadership effectiveness in schools, inclusive education policies and practices and braille literacy and assistive technology applications.