Al-Hikmah University Journal

This study investigated Principals' decision-making on teachers' job commitment in public secondary schools in Oyo state. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated. Descriptive survey research was adopted. Study population comprised of all principals (625) and teachers (14,508). Sample size consisted of 276 principals and 3,576 teachers. Two self-constructed questionnaires - Principals' Decision Making Questionnaire (PDMQ) and Teachers’ Job Commitment Questionnaire (TJCQ) were used. Test-re-test reliability estimation gave high values of 0.86 and 0.81 respectively. Demographic characteristics, research questions and hypotheses were analyzed and tested using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results showed that principals' decision-making in public school (x̅ = 2.235) is fair. However, they do not avoid decision-making (x̅ = 1.290). Results also showed teachers' job commitment in public school (x̅ = 3.131) is low. Results showed significant joint contribution of principal decision-making (participation, consultation, spontaneous and avoidant decision-making) on teachers’ job commitment (F7, 269 = 2.316, P<0.05). However, principals' decision-making participation (Beta = -.186; t = -2.718; significance = .015) had significant negative prediction on teachers' job commitment. It was therefore recommended amongst others that principals enhance the decision-making styles in the schools for improved teachers' commitment.