Technology Leadership Of School Heads and Digital Literacy of Teachers and Learners

AUTHOR(S)

MELROSE ABABA-MIJARES

ABSTRACT

—— As educational systems transition into the digital era, the role of school leadership in fostering digital competence has become a primary focus. However, the direct impact of visionary leadership on the technical proficiency of stakeholders in rural public schools remains underexplored. This study investigated the relationship between the technology leadership of school heads and the digital literacy levels of teachers and learners within the Schools Division of Northern Samar. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, data were gathered from a representative sample of school heads, teachers, and senior high school students. Standardized survey instruments were used to measure leadership dimensions (traits, technical, and soft skills) and digital literacy domains (content, pedagogy, ethics, and critical thinking). Data were analyzed using Mean, Pearson r, Spearman rho, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Findings revealed that school heads demonstrate strong visionary leadership but face gaps in technical operational skills. Teachers showed high content knowledge but low confidence in technology-enhanced pedagogy. Notably, no statistically significant relationship was found between school heads’ technology leadership and the digital literacy of teachers or learners ($p > 0.05$). However, age was a significant negative predictor of digital soft skills for leaders and technological knowledge for teachers. Conversely, the academic strand was the most significant predictor of digital literacy among students ($p < 0.001$). The study concludes that while technology leadership is essential for institutional vision, it is not the primary driver of individual digital proficiency. Digital literacy is more closely tied to generational factors and curricular specialization. Recommendations include shifting professional development toward subject-specific digital pedagogy and implementing reverse-mentoring programs to bridge the generational technical gap. Keywords: Technology Leadership, Digital Literacy, Northern Samar, Senior High School Strands, Educational Management, TPACK