Evidence-Based Study into the Coping Demands of Headmistresses in Selected Senior High Schools in the Kumasi Metropolis: A Mixed Method Study
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Abstract:
Management of academic institutions is a daunting
task since humans are placed at the center of all activities carried out in
that space. Despite the continuous supply of human and material resources by
various governments to supervise, plan, strategize, and implement structures
for an expected result, there still exist loopholes. This study uses the mixed
method technique to examine the coping demands of headmistresses in selected
senior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. Using the
cross-sectional study design with purposive sampling, this study was conducted
on 14 female headmistresses from 14 senior high schools with the use of
interview-based structured questionnaires with one-on-one interviews with
headmistresses. Study
results reveal that headmistresses’ ambition and drive
on their pathways to leadership, study results indicate that 57% of respondents
agree is it through academic qualifications, followed by progressive promotion
(36%) and finally intrinsic motivation (7%). On headmistresses coping
mechanisms in their world of work, 50% reveal they ignore any form of
negativity, followed by gender biases (48%) and personal reflection (2%).
Again, study results revealed that headmistresses treat their critics as though
they do not exist in dealing with negativity. This study recommends that upcoming
research should consider these coping demands of female headmistresses relative
to the demands of managing academic institutions zand state policies on
education.
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