Management Principles as a Function of School Productivity: A Comparative Analysis of Public and Private Secondary Schools in the South West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

This study investigates principals’ management principles and its effect on the productivity of secondary schools in the South West region of Cameroon. It investigated a comparative analysis of productivity in public and private schools with respect to planning and communication as construct of management principles. Questionnaire and interview guide were used to gather data from 295 teachers and 20 principals respectively using stratified, proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis while the quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive (frequency count, percentages and multiple responses set) and inferential statistics (Paired Samples T-Test and Pearson test). Findings revealed that, communication and planning principles had a positive and significant effect on school productivity. However, while the practice is more in the private schools, the impact on productivity is higher in the public than private secondary schools. The study concluded that, effective planning and communication strategies are relevant for improving the productivity of secondary schools. They provide opportunity for optimal allocation and utilization of scarce resources in education for optimal outcome.

Keywords: Management principles, productivity, secondary education

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-9-08

Publication date:March 31^st 2023