Investigating Leadership Styles in Township Public Primary Schools: A Case of Two Principals in Gauteng Province, South Africa
Keywords:
Leadership styles, township schools, principalsAbstract
The majority of research studies on school leadership rely much on pre-established leadership theoretical frameworks. There was a need for a research study that investigates leadership as it evolved naturally within a particular setting of every school. The purpose of this study was to investigate how principals lead daily. Two principals from township public primary schools in Gauteng province of South Africa were observed and interviewed. It was found that principals do not rely on a single leadership style but rather adopt multiple styles that evolve according to their context and beliefs. These findings confirm that leadership in township public schools is multi-dimensional, context-driven, and deeply influenced by each principal's philosophy about human potential and professional responsibility. Both cases highlight that effective leadership is not rigid but adaptive, blending elements of theory with the lived realities of schools, thereby shaping school climate, teacher motivation, and learner achievement.
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