Role of Human Resource Management (HRM) Practices in Enhancing Service Delivery within Public Secondary Schools in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study examined the role of human resource management practices in enhancing effective service delivery in public secondary schools in Rivers State. Two research questions guided the study, which used a descriptive survey design. The population consisted of all 375 principals of public senior secondary schools in Rivers State. We selected the entire population using a purposive sampling technique. We collected data using the Human Resource Management Practices for Effective Service Delivery (HRMPESD) instrument. Experts from the Department of Educational Management at Rivers State University validated the instrument, determining its reliability coefficient of 0.84 through split-half statistics. Five research assistants distributed a total of 375 questionnaires, and they retrieved 360 of them, resulting in a 96% response rate. The data were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that human resource management practices for effective service delivery included involving teachers in decision-making processes, encouraging participation in training programs, and enhancing career development opportunities for teachers. The study recommended that principals should enhance teachers' involvement in decision-making by creating structured platforms such as regular staff meetings, policy review committees, and feedback mechanisms. Principals should also collaborate with educational authorities and non-governmental organisations to provide funding and logistical support for teachers' participation in workshops, seminars, and training programs.