Leading with Integrity Experiences of School Heads in Promoting Accountability

AUTHOR(S)

JEANCEL L. LOREJO

ABSTRACT

—— This study explores the experiences of school heads in promoting accountability through integrity driven leadership. Focusing on the challenges they encounter, the coping mechanisms they employ, and the insights they gain. Accountability plays a critical role in ensuring quality education, but it is often influenced by leadership practices, resource limitations, and cultural factors. A qualitative research design was used, involving in-depth interviews with selected public-school heads. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recurring themes related to challenges, coping strategies, and insights. The study revealed five key challenges: difficulty balancing teacher autonomy and accountability, limited resources and inadequate support systems, resistance and lack of buy-in from teachers, challenges in monitoring and evaluating performance, and cultural and interpersonal barriers. Coping strategies included fostering open communication, maximizing resources and external support, building trust, providing clear and constructive feedback, and practicing cultural sensitivity. Insights gained emphasized that accountability works best when paired with trust, that support improves performance, flexibility is essential, clear expectations reduce misunderstandings, and strong relationships foster a positive accountability culture. The findings highlight the significance of integrity in leadership, its impact on school culture and the ways in which school heads can promote transparency, responsibility and academic excellence. It Suggest that promoting accountability in requires balancing firmness with relational leadership, adequate resources, and context-sensitive approaches. The study recommends targeted support for school heads, improved policies from the Department of Education, and further research to explore the perspectives of teachers and students. This research contributes to the understanding of effective leadership and provides insights for educational policy makers, administrators, and stakeholders seeking to promote accountability and integrity in school. Keywords — Accountability, school leadership, coping strategies, teacher performance, trust, cultural sensitivity