OPTIMIZING THE GOVERNANCE OF THE SCHOOL HEADS TOWARDS ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Overview & Synopsis

This study explores the organizational effectiveness of school governance among public school heads in Tiaong, Quezon, using the combined perspectives of the Philippine Qualification Framework for School Heads and Governance IR 5.0. Employing a descriptive quantitative research design and total population sampling, the study involved 35 school heads who responded to a validated researcher-made survey instrument. The instrument measured key governance dimensions, including instructional leadership, strategic policy implementation, human resource development, stakeholder engagement, ethical leadership, and the integration of human-centric leadership, artificial intelligence (AI), smart governance, and data-driven decision-making. Results indicated strong implementation of instructional and strategic leadership practices, whereas financial management and community engagement reflected notable gaps. Adoption of AI-driven and data-informed practices under Governance IR 5.0 varied among schools, largely influenced by technological readiness and access to training. Despite these challenges, school heads consistently demonstrated ethical leadership and collaborative engagement with stakeholders, although full alignment with Governance IR 5.0 has yet to be achieved. A comparative analysis revealed considerable convergence between the two governance frameworks but underscored the need for deliberate integration of emerging technologies into traditional leadership practices. In response, the study proposes a comprehensive Organizational Effectiveness Framework that merges conventional leadership approaches with innovative governance tools. The framework aims to strengthen leadership capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and enhance policy responsiveness, thereby contributing to sustainable advancements in school governance, particularly within rural educational contexts. Keywords: organizational effectiveness, school governance, transformational leadership, Governance IR 5.0, Philippine Qualification for School Heads, data-driven decision-making, human-centric leadership, smart governance, AI in education, Descriptive Quantitative Research Design and Purposive Sampling; Philippines.