EXPLORING THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS SURROUNDING SCHOOL HEADS' LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR, WORK VALUES, AND PERFORMANCE: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

Educational Management

This study employed a qualitative research design using a phenomenological approach to explore and understand the lived experiences, perceptions, and insights of school heads regarding their leadership behaviors, work values, and supervisory across the divisions of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The qualitative nature of the study allowed for a deeper exploration of the contextual realities that shape leadership practices in post-pandemic, resource-limited, and conflict-affected educational settings. Through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the study gathered rich, narrative data from selected school leaders who have experienced the challenges and responsibilities of supervising teachers and managing schools in diverse and often marginalized communities. The participants were purposively selected based on their roles, length of service, and exposure to the unique challenges present in the region. Data collection focused on understanding how leadership behaviors are enacted in context, how personal and organizational work values influence decision-making and relational dynamics, and how supervisory responsibilities are fulfilled amid administrative, social, and geographical constraints. Thematic analysis was utilized to identify recurring patterns, significant themes, and contextual insights that emerged from the participants' narratives. By emphasizing the voices of school heads, this qualitative design provided a nuanced understanding of how leadership is exercised and sustained in a complex educational environment, offering implications for policy formulation, leadership training, and capacity building in BARMM.

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