RELEVANCE OF FIEDLER’S CONTINGENCY LAEDERSHIP THEORY TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

Abstract

The paper examines the relevance of Fiedler’s Contingency Leadership Theory, in managing School Organization with special reference to primary and secondary levels of the Nigerian Education system. Related literature on the concept of leadership, types and qualities of leadership, what contingency leadership denotes, postulations of the theory under, and other related issues have been synoptically reviewed. The paper, based on the acute analyses of the literature, posits that despite the fact that the theory was not initially developed in the context of school organization, its assumptions relate positively to management effectiveness of primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. The paper thus, recommends among other things, deliberate, systematic and careful study of the school contingent situation before selecting and applying any of the renowned leadership approaches in the school organization.