PRINCIPALS' PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MANAGEMENT OF STUDENTS' DISCIPLINE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN JALINGO EDUCATION ZONE, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined the Principals’ Personal characteristics and Management of students’ discipline in secondary schools in Jalingo Education Zone, Taraba State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of 5,797 teachers in secondary schools in Jalingo Education zone Taraba state. A stratified random sampling was used. The sample size of 380 teachers was obtained using Taro Yamane (1967). The instrument adopted for the collection of data was a questionnaire Title “Principals’ Personal Characteristics and students discipline Questionnaire (PPCSDQ)”. The instrument was subjected to validation by 3 experts in faculty of Education. Taraba state University, Jalingo. The reliability coefficient of 0.85 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha method and the internal consistency was high, as evidenced by this coefficient. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and percentages were used to answer the research questions while the hypotheses were tested using chi-square statistical analysis. The results were computed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings of the study revealed that there is significant influence of principals’ administrative experience in managing student discipline effectively in secondary schools in Jalingo Education Zone. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommended that Schools should prioritize candidates with relevant qualifications and extensive administrative experience when selecting principals. This will ensure that the selected individuals have the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively handle disciplinary issues.