School leadership in West Africa: findings from a systematic literature review

Bush, Tony; Glover, Derek

Abstract

The literature shows that leadership is the second most important factor influencing school and learner outcomes, including levels of literacy and numeracy, school leaving examination results, and progression to secondary and higher education. This paper focuses on school leadership in West Africa, drawing on a systematic review of the academic and 'grey' literature, commissioned by UNESCO. The aim of the desk research was to ascertain the state of school leadership at all levels. The paper shows that no West African countries provide specific preparation for school principals. It also shows that the predominant leadership style is managerial, with accountability to the hierarchy, within and beyond the school. The paper concludes that specific development programmes should be provided for current and aspiring principals.

Citation

Bush, T., & Glover, D. (in press). School leadership in West Africa: findings from a systematic literature review. Africa Education Review, 13(3-4), 80-103

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 7, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Dec 23, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 7, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 24, 2018
• Journal: Africa Education Review
• Print ISSN: 1814-6627
• Electronic ISSN: 1753-5921
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 3-4
• Pages: 80-103
• Keywords: School Leadership, Principals, West Africa, Leadership Models, Managerial Leadership, Leadership Preparation
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/796187
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Africa Education Review on 23 December 2016, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/18146627.2016.1229572.
• Contract Date: Jul 7, 2016