The Mediating Influence of Head Teachers’ Managerial Functions on Teachers’ Commitment in Public Primary Schools in Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State

Authors

  • Saliha Yahaya Federal University Gusau, Nigeria
  • Rabiatu Musa Mafara Federal University Gusau, Nigeria
  • Celestina Nnnena Osuji Federal University Gusau, Nigeria
  • Sule Muhammad Federal University Gusau, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61166/elm.v4i1.106

Keywords:

Mediating Role, Head Teachers Managerial Function, on Teacher Commitment, Primary School

Abstract

This study examined the mediating influence of head teachers’ managerial functions on teachers’ commitment in public primary schools in Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State, Nigeria. Employing a descriptive-correlational research design, the study targeted 1,391 teachers across 152 schools, with a stratified random sample of 291 teachers selected to ensure proportional representation. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which was validated through a pilot study, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). The findings revealed that head teachers perform their managerial functions to a great extent, demonstrating competence in planning, organizing, supervising, and providing instructional support. Teachers were found to exhibit high levels of commitment, reflecting strong dedication to instructional delivery and school goals. The PPMC analysis indicated a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship (r = 0.655, p = 0.000) between head teachers’ managerial roles and teachers’ commitment, suggesting that effective school leadership significantly enhances teacher engagement and dedication. Based on these findings, the study recommends continuous professional development for head teachers, establishment of mentorship and leadership support programs, active involvement of teachers in decision-making processes, implementation of recognition and reward systems, and further research on additional mediating factors such as school climate and teacher well-being. The study underscores the critical role of competent managerial functions in fostering teacher commitment and improving educational outcomes in primary schools in Gusau.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Almodiel, T. A. (2025). School heads’ distributed leadership and organizational commitment of teachers. International Journal of Open-Access Interdisciplinary and New Educational Discoveries, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.63498/nxz2st234

Al‑Zu’bi, M. A. A., Al‑Mseidin, K. I. M., Yaakob, M. F. M., et al. (2024). The impact of the school educational environment on primary school teachers’ commitment to educational quality. Discover Sustainability, 5, 449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621‑024‑00633‑4

Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences. (2023). The influence of school heads on teachers’ commitment in public secondary schools in Kagera Region, Tanzania, 21(3), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.9734/arjass/2023/v21i3476

Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.

Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.

Demirbilek, N. (2025). Teachers’ perceptions of shared leadership and their relationship with organizational attractiveness and identification. Journal of Open Educational Research, 13(11), 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/joer1311141

Diah Ayu Sucitra, D. A., Hariri, H., & Riswandi, R. (2024). Effect of principal instructional leadership on teacher commitment. Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn), 18(2), 279–285. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v18i2.20980

Emerald Publishing. (2025). Fostering teacher commitment through inclusive leadership: The mediating roles of teacher collaboration and teacher professionalism. Journal of Educational Administration, 63(6), 551–570. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-05-2025-0072

Gonzales, R. U., & Dioso, E. D. (2024). School climate and teachers’ commitment: A descriptive‑correlational study. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS). https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2024.907006

Kandemir, A. (2025). The mediating function of organizational commitment in the relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction and principals’ empowering leadership. Acta Psychologica, 105715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105715

Kareem, J., Patrick, H. A., Prabakaran, N., Valarmathi, B., Tantia, V., Pramod Kumar, M. P. M., & Mukherjee, U. (2023). Transformational educational leaders inspire school educators’ commitment. Frontiers in Education, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1171513

Ladra, S. Y., & Gorospe, J. D. (2025). Principal leadership, good governance, and teachers’ commitment to organizational change. Mindoro Journal of Social Sciences and Development Studies. https://doi.org/10.55214/mjssds.v5i2.745

Mahmutoğlu, C., Celep, C., & Kaya, A. (2025). The impact of school administrators’ influence tactics on teachers’ organizational commitment: The role of learning agility. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1549328. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1549328

Neves, M. d. L. G. (2024). The relationship between ethical leadership, teacher motivation, and commitment in public schools in Portugal. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1456685

Rejaan, S., Rokhman, F., & Yanto, H. (2025). The influence of leadership, teacher commitment, and organizational culture through the independent learning curriculum on improving education quality. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 9(5), 3161–3174. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v9i5.7656

Research Advisors. (2006). Table of Determining Sample Size. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://research-advisors.com

Research in Educational Administration and Leadership. (2023). Teachers’ organizational commitment: The role of psychological empowerment and demographic characteristics, 8(3), 600–634.

Sariakin, S., Yeni, M., Usman, M. B., Mare, A. S., Munzir, M., & Saleh, M. (2025). Fostering a productive educational environment: The roles of leadership, management practices, and teacher motivation. Frontiers in Education, 10(1499064). https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1499064

Teaching and Teacher Education. (2024). Enhancing teachers’ commitment: Autonomy and learning in Ghana’s basic schools, 143, 104556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2024.104556

Tuang, J. F., & Quintos, S. B. (2025). Innovative leadership of school principals and teachers’ work behavior and level of commitment. American Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation, 4(6), 17–30. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajmri.v4i6.5950

Veletić, J., Price, H. E., & Olsen, R. V. (2023). Teachers’ and principals’ perceptions of school climate: The role of principals’ leadership style in organizational quality. Educational Assessment, Evaluation and Accountability, 35, 525–555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11092-023-09413-6

Xu, Z., & Pang, N. S.-K. (2024). Teachers’ emotional intelligence and organizational commitment: A moderated mediation model of psychological well‑being and principal transformational leadership. Behavioral Sciences, 14(4), 345. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14040345

Zhang, Y., & Li, X. (2026). Principals’ authentic leadership and teachers’ organizational commitment: A mediation model through teacher well-being. Educational Psychology Review

Downloads

Published

2026-07-26

How to Cite

Saliha Yahaya, Rabiatu Musa Mafara, Celestina Nnnena Osuji, & Sule Muhammad. (2026). The Mediating Influence of Head Teachers’ Managerial Functions on Teachers’ Commitment in Public Primary Schools in Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State. Elementaria: Journal of Educational Research, 4(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.61166/elm.v4i1.106

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.