Abstract: This study was conducted to explore the factors hindering effective implementation of participatory leadership practices in public primary schools in Morogoro District Council, Tanzania. The study was guided by Likert’s Participative Leadership Theory and used a pragmatic research philosophy and convergent mixed-method approach. The population consisted of 1,060 teachers, 170 Heads of Schools and 31 Ward Education Officers. A sample of 117 respondents was selected, consisting of 91 teachers, 17 Heads of Schools and 9 Ward Education Officers. Quantitative data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis and then analyzed thematically. Six main challenges were identified, namely the lack of time for consultation, heavy teacher workload, insufficient consideration of teachers’ views, poor communication between Heads of Schools and teachers, insufficient opportunities for teachers to participate in leadership responsibilities and lack of leadership support. Amongst these challenges, insufficient opportunities for participation had the highest mean score (M = 3.35, SD = 1.311) followed by lack of leadership support (M = 3.24, SD = 1.311), poor communication (M = 3.24, SD = 1.328), heavy teacher workload (M = 3.23, SD = 1.292), lack of consultation time (M = 3.21, SD = 1.304) and insufficient consideration of teachers’ views (M = 3.14, SD = 1.234). Findings from qualitative and documentary analysis indicated that all these challenges were interrelated and sustained by staffing problems, competing administrative tasks, inequitable distribution of leadership responsibilities and insufficient professional development. The study concluded that participative leadership practices in public primary schools were inhibited not so much by the absence of formal participatory arrangements as by the organizational environment surrounding their implementation. Thus, addressing staffing and workload planning issues, communication, consultation process, leadership development and fair distribution of leadership responsibilities would facilitate teacher participation.
Keywords: School leadership, Participatory leadership, participatory leadership practices.
Title: Factors Hindering Effective Implementation of Participatory Leadership Practices in Public Primary Schools: A Case of Morogoro District Council, Tanzania
Author: Jovina Mkuchu, Joseph Hokororo Ismail, Onesmo Amos Damka
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
Vol. 14, Issue 4, October 2026 - December 2026
Page No: 229-239
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 22-October-2026
