Leadership challenges in the civil service: a general education institution in Songo-Mozambique

Abstract

This article deals with the challenges of leadership in a public general education institution in Songo, in the province of Tete-Mozambique. Its objectives are to analyse the challenges of leadership in the management of the school, to identify the factors that influence management; to survey the theories on leadership in organisations and; to propose measures to improve management in the school. In terms of methodology, the study is qualitative. The data collection instrument was the structured interview technique, aimed at members of the school's management, teaching and non-teaching staff. The results revealed that school management is based on the norms established by the Ministry that oversees the education sector, although there are cases of some actions that go against these norms carried out by the leadership, which affect the relationship within the institution and with the community. The most prevalent form of leadership is democratic, which in turn has not been exercised in the financial area, where leadership has been autocratic in the decisions made. As a result, measures to improve the school's management were identified, such as holding meetings of a pedagogical nature, as well as the communication process. As a result, it was found that the main challenges for leadership in the management process at the public general education institution in Songo are linked to financial management and communication with both internal and external audiences, which requires a leadership style that allows for joint action in decision-making.