Project Abstract

Abstract
This research project aims to investigate the impact of principals providing incentives for secondary school improvement. The study focuses on understanding how incentives offered by principals can motivate teachers and students to enhance academic performance, school culture, and overall educational quality. By conducting surveys, interviews, and observations in a diverse range of secondary schools, this research seeks to analyze the various types of incentives that principals utilize and their effectiveness in driving positive change within schools. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the existing literature on school leadership and educational improvement strategies. Principals play a crucial role in setting the tone for a school's success, and their ability to provide effective incentives can have a significant influence on teacher morale, student engagement, and overall school performance. By examining the practices of successful principals who have implemented incentive programs, this research aims to provide insights into best practices that can be replicated in other educational settings. Furthermore, this research project also aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of teachers and students regarding the effectiveness of incentives in promoting school improvement. By gathering data directly from the stakeholders involved, this study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of how incentives impact different aspects of the school environment. Understanding the perspectives of teachers and students is essential for designing incentive programs that are not only effective but also sustainable in the long term. Overall, this research project seeks to shed light on the role of principals in fostering school improvement through the provision of incentives. By examining the practices, challenges, and outcomes of incentive programs in secondary schools, this study aims to provide valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and school leaders. Ultimately, the goal is to identify effective strategies that can be leveraged to create a positive and supportive school environment that enhances the educational experience for both teachers and students.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION

This study ascertained the principals’ provision of incentive for secondary schools’ improvement in Oyo State.

Two research questions guided the study and two null hypotheses were tested. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 8,701 which comprised 969 principals and 7,732 teachers in public secondary school principals in Oyo State. Proportionate Stratified sampling technique was used to draw 871 respondents made up of 97 principals and 774 teachers. Two versions of a 19 item researchers’ developed instrument titled ‘‘Principals’ Incentive Practices for Schools’ Improvement Questionnaire (PIPSIQI)’’ and ‘‘Principals’ Incentives Practices for Schools Improvement Questionnaire (PIPSIQII)’’ were used for data collection. Mean rates and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed among others that principals and teachers agreed that involving staff in decision making process to enhance their commitment in implementing the instructional programme, prompt attention to teachers on-the-job problems, praising teachers for excellent performance, assigning responsibility with commensurate authority to give teachers opportunity to demonstrate their skills and maintaining mutual relationship among others are teachers’ incentive practices provided by secondary school principals in Oyo State. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that there is need for State Ministry of Education to regularly organize interactive workshops that include both principals and teachers for working out modalities for improvement on provision of incentives for teachers. Conclusions were drawn and other recommendations were made.