PRINCIPALS’ LEADERSHIP STYLES ANDSCHOOL COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

The paper examined the leadership styles of Edo State principals and the relationships between schools and the community. Four research questions were posed in order to direct the investigation. While research questions 2 through 4 were hypothesised and tested using Fisher's z and Pearson r statistics at the 0.05 alpha level, research question 1 was directly addressed. This research used a correctional design and was a survey. The study's participants included of 136 principals of public secondary schools located in Edo State. To choose the sample size, a multi-stage approach was used. The study used a questionnaire with three components, A, B, and C, called the "Principals’ Leadership Styles and School Community Relations Questionnaire (PLSSCRQ)." Frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, rankings, Pearson's r, and Fisher's Z statistics were all used in the analyses. The results showed that the majority leadership style used by Edo State's public secondary school principals is democratic leadership. In Edo State, the degree of school-community interactions is moderate. Based on the principals' age, gender, experience, and qualifications, the results also showed a substantial correlation between the authoritarian leadership style and school community relations. School administrators should keep encouraging an inclusive and participatory atmosphere where all stakeholders have a voice and are active in defining the school's policies, procedures, and activities, among other recommendations based on the findings. In order to foster collaboration and support, principals ought to cultivate and encourage community partnerships with nearby organisations and leaders