PARTICIPATORY LEADERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SOROTI DISTRICT

Abstract

The study analyzed the relationship between participatory leadership and employee commitment in Government secondary schools in Soroti District using three objectives namely to establish the relationship between duty delegation and employee commitment; to assess the relationship between participatory decision making and employee commitment and to establish the relationship between staff representation and employee commitment. The cross sectional design was used complemented with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population was 100 elements from which a sample of 80 respondents was selected using simple and purposive sampling techniques. The response rate of 86.9% was obtained from which key findings obtained include a positive relationship exists between duty delegation (.297**), participatory decision making (.341**), staff representation (.496**) and employee commitment. From the study, it was concluded that delegation of authority is an important aspect for ensuring proper handling of student affairs although some tasks were difficult for teachers to execute as they had less experience, fewer of school employees engaged in decision making and coming up with school policies while representing staff on the school board of governors would help subordinate staff voices be heard, however fewer of subordinate views were considered for discussion. Recommendations made include timely provision of necessary support to teachers to successfully accomplish delegated tasks, increase level of staff participation in decision making by frequently holding staff and departmental meetings, use of questionnaires and suggestion boxes, regular holding of BOG meetings so that teachers’ concerns are discussed and ensuring democratic election of teachers’ representatives.