Transparency and Accountability of School Leaders in Delivering Educational Services to Stakeholders

In the pursuit of effective governance, whether in government or a small establishment, the role of a leader was undeniably significant. Leadership was not just about guiding people it was about fulfilling responsibilities with accountability and transparency toward ones constituents. This descriptive-correlational research examined school leaders practices in ensuring transparency and accountability in key areas such as resource management, financial liquidation, and conflict resolution. It also assessed the strategies they used in these areas. Additionally, it explored the challenges they faced and aimed to develop plans to improve existing practices and strategies, ensuring transparency and accountability in delivering educational services to stakeholders. The study employed total enumeration purposive sampling, comprising 192 respondents, including school leaders, master and head teachers, SPTA Presidents, and SSLG and SELG Presidents from elementary and secondary schools in the Daet North and South Districts for SY 2024-2025. The study also utilized adapted versions of existing survey questionnaires. The results showed that the respondents agreed that all indicators outlined in the survey questionnaires were very much practiced in the key areas such as resource management, liquidation reporting, and conflict resolution, as well as the challenges they faced. The school leaders of the Daet North and South Districts actively implemented strategies to promote transparency and accountability in decision making. The greatest challenged faced by school leaders was the implementation of DepEd Orders, Memoranda, and other issuances. The study found a very strong relationship between the practices and strategies employed by school leaders in the Daet North and South Districts. As an output, a sustainability plan was proposed to support school leaders in maintaining and further strengthening their established practices and strategies in delivering educational services to stakeholders.