Educational Leadership among the heads of primary schools in the provinces of Malopolska and Mazovia

Abstract

Purpose of research. The aim of this article is to present, as well as the analysis of own research on the style of management of public and private institutions, presented by directors of private and public primary schools

Methodology. My group of respondents consisted of 82 directors of primary schools: 26 directors of public schools in the Małopolskie voivodship, 17 directors of private schools in the Małopolskie voivodship, 19 directors of public schools in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, and 20 directors of private schools in the Mazowieckie voivodship. The research is based on the concept of situational leadership by Ken Blanchard, which distinguishes four styles of team management (in this case, the teachers managed by the director of the facility). It distinguishes the style of Instructing, Consulting, Participation and Delegation.

The aim of the questionnaire, which was used by me during the research, which concerned the attitude of the directors of the outlets, was to determine the management style of the institution (flexibility of style) and the effectiveness of its style.

Results. It turns out that the type of facility, public or private, largely affects the way it is managed by directors. The location, in this case, the Małopolskie or Mazowieckie voivodships, play a smaller role. In private institutions, both in the Mazowieckie and Małopolskie Voivodships, one of the dominant management styles presented by directors is Instructing whereas in public schools it is delegation. The results obtained by public schools are diametrically opposed to those of private schools. This indicates a different way of management and a different specifics of both facilities.

Conclusions. Depending on the different management styles, the directors of the branches present various attitudes. They influence the way of working in private and public institutions to a large extent, which in a long time is reflected in the level of satisfaction and job satisfaction presented by employees. The method of managing the institution also determines the atmosphere prevailing in the school between the pedagogical group, which is one of the factors of effective student education.