Al-Hikmah University Journal

This study investigated the impact of principals’ academic qualification on students’ academic performance in senior secondary schools in Bauchi State. The study adopted the descriptive research designed of the correlation type. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 out of 85 senior secondary schools in Bauchi State. A combination of purposive and simple random sampling technique was used to select 30 principals, 27 vice principals’ administration and 17 vice principals academic as well as 359 teachers from 30 senior secondary schools in Bauchi State making it a total of 433 subjects as participants to this study. The instruments used to collect relevant data were Principals’ Higher Academic Qualification and Students’ Academic Performance Questionnaire (PHAQSAPQ). National Examination Council (NECO) Result Documentary Analysis Format was also used to analyse students’ academic performance. The instruments were pilot tested after experts have ascertained it contents validity. The reliability coefficient was 0.73 for the self-designed questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). One hypothesis was formulated and tested. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient Analysis Procedure was used to test the hypothesis. The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 significant levels. The results of the analysis showed among others that, there was significant impact of principals’ higher academic qualification on students’ academic performance. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that, school principals should be encouraged to go for higher academic qualification to enable them keep in place appropriate leadership efficiency that will further influence students’ academic performance.