JOURNAL OF EDUCATION (EKSUJOE)

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (HRM) PRACTICES AND PRINCIPALS’ ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ETHIOPE EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT, DELTA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the influence of human resource management (HRM) practices on principals’ administrative efficiency in public secondary schools in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Guided by Systems Theory and Human Capital Theory, the research explored how different Human resource practices such as staff recruitment and deployment, supervision and appraisal, as well as teacher motivation and welfare, shape the effectiveness of principals in carrying out their leadership responsibilities. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, involving 26 principals and 214 teachers, with data collected through structured questionnaires. The instruments were validated by experts and their reliability confirmed using Cronbach’s Alpha. Findings revealed that effective recruitment and equitable deployment of teachers significantly enhanced principals’ ability to manage schools efficiently. Supervision and performance appraisal emerged as the strongest predictors of administrative efficiency, showing that constructive feedback and regular classroom monitoring improve both teacher performance and school discipline. Motivation and welfare were also positively related to administrative efficiency, as teachers who felt valued and supported demonstrated greater cooperation and professionalism. Regression analysis results indicated that HRM practices collectively accounted for over half of the variance in principals’ administrative efficiency, underscoring their central role in school leadership. The study concludes that principals’ effectiveness in managing schools is inseparable from how well they manage people. It recommends strengthening HRM structures in secondary schools through transparent recruitment, fair appraisal systems, and improved teacher welfare policies.