SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES, PRINCIPAL ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS AND TEACHER JOB COMMITMENT IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated school support services, principal administrative skills and teacher job commitment in public secondary schools in Ogun State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population consisted of 3,587 teachers that were in 473 public secondary schools in Ogun State. The sample size for the study was 300 (teachers) respondents. Four hypotheses were formulated and tested. A self-structured questionnaire titled School Support Services, Principal Administrative Skills, Teacher Job Commitment Questionnaire (0.76). The data collected was analysed using inferential statistics of Pearson Product Moment Correlation and Multiple Regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed significant relationship between school support services (library, health and mentoring) and teacher job commitment (library r= 0.410, P<0.05, health/medical r=0.447, P<0.05 and mentoring r=0.177, P<0.05). There was significant relationship between principal administrative skills (supervisory and communication skills) and teacher job commitment (supervisory skill r= 0.308, P<0.05, and communication skills r=0.341, P<0.05). There was significant relative contribution of school support services and principal administrative skills to teachers job commitment (ß = (0.425), t(298) = 7.799, p<0.05, ß = (0.298), t(298) = 2.789, p<0.05) and there was significant joint contribution of principal administrative skills and school support services to teacher job commitment (R= 0.459,(F(2,282) = 37.577, P = 0.000).Based on these findings, the study concluded that school support services and principal administrative skills are potent variables that could enhance or mar teacher job commitment. Therefore, the study recommended that teacher job commitment can be facilitated through school support services and high level of principals’ administrative skills.