Factors of leadership skills of secondary school principals

A school principal requires a series of appropriate leadership skills to bring the school, staffs and students to a high level of achievement, and to maintain school effectiveness. This study was conducted to identify (1) level of leadership skill, and (2) factors of leadership skill of a group of Malaysian secondary school principals (n=152). Results indicate that years of service as a school principal and academic qualification were two significant factors of leadership skill. The factors predicted 24.9% of the overall leadership skill. However, there was no significant difference between the male and female principals on leadership skill. In terms of leadership domain, the principals possessed high instructional and cultural leadership skills and low educational management and organizational management leadership skills. The findings imply that school principals should be provided ample opportunities for self-professional development to improve the quality of their leadership skills. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.