PRINCIPALS' STRATEGIC PLANNING PRACTICES FOR EFFECTIVE GOAL ATTAINMENT IN PUBLIC SENOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The study examined principals' strategic planning practices for effective goal attainment in public senor secondary schools in Rivers State. Three (3) research questions and three (3) corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised 350 principals of senior secondary schools in Rivers State, consisting of 241 males and 109 females. The study sampled 350 principals from senior secondary schools in Rivers State, using a census sampling technique because the population was small. The instrument used for data collection was a 15-item self-structured questionnaire titled: Principals' Strategic Planning Practices for Effective Goal Attainment Questionnaire (PSPPEGAQ). The reliability of the instrument was determined using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistical tool, which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.80. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. An independent sample t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The findings of the study shows that to a high extent stakeholder engagement, setting SMART goals, and staff development programmes as principals' strategic planning practices were utilized  for effective goal attainment in public senor secondary schools in Rivers State. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that strategic planning practices adopted by principals play an important role in the attainment of educational goals in public senior secondary schools in Rivers State. Therefore, it was recommended that principals should establish regular forums and communication channels such as PTA meetings, community outreach, student councils to involve parents, teachers, students, and community leaders in school planning and decision-making. Also, the ministry of education should organize regular training for teachers and school leaders on instructional leadership, classroom management, and innovative teaching methods.