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Abstract

This study addressed the influence of delegation of responsibility in participative leadership style on improving the quality of education in public secondary schools in Arusha region, Tanzania. The study was informed by Likert' participative system theory. Correlation survey design was adopted to establish the influence of delegation of responsibilities on improving the quality of education. To this end two hundred and nineteen (219) respondents from 18 public secondary schools were selected based on stratified and random sampling techniques from three (03) district councils in Arusha region. The study involved three ( 03) district education officers, eighteen ( 18) heads of schools, eighteen ( 18) academic masters/mistresses, and one hundred and eighty, and ( 180) teachers. In this study data was collected by using multiple instruments such as questionnaires for teachers and academic masters/mistresses, interview schedule for district education officers and headmasters/mistresses, and document analysis schedule. Cronbach alpha was used to test reliability, while content validity was used to test validity. Data was analyzed using both descriptive statistics by frequency, mean scores, standard deviation; and inferential statistics by the use of Chi-square tests technique. The study findings revealed that delegation of responsibility fosters shared leadership responsibility between head of schools and experienced teachers, as well as develops accountability and commitment among the teaching staff. The study concluded that the delegated teachers in different responsibilities are not given decision making powers. It was also concluded that head of schools delegates responsibility to some of the teachers especially the experienced ones than the new teachers. Based on the research findings and conclusions, the study recommended the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology to develop a clear policy and increase efforts in training and retraining headmasters/mistresses on the proper delegation of responsibility for improving the quality of education in public secondary schools.