ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to identify the influence of communication patterns (circle, chain, Y, wheel and upward communication pattern) on the administrative performance of public secondary school principals in Umuahia North Local Government Area in Abia State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and the population of the study comprised 19 principals and 559 teachers from 20 public Secondary Schools. A total of 5 principals and 110 teachers were randomly sampled for the study. Data was collected using Communication Pattern and Administrative Performance Questionnaire (CPAPQ). Cronbach alpha was used for the reliability test which yielded an index of 0.83 while the research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation; the hypotheses was tested with Z-test at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed that communication pattern used by the principals to a high extent influence their administrative performance. The major findings in this study were that the circle communication pattern has its influence on administrative performance of principals with a pooled mean of 2.99 of 0.76 and z-cal. of -0.6232 which is less than the z-tab of 1.96. It was also observed that principals’ use of chain communication pattern in relating to their sub-ordinate has a high extent influence on their administrative performance. This was indicated by the pooled mean of 2.96, SD of 0.74 and z- cal. of -0.2488 which is less than the z-tab. of 1.96. This study also revealed that Y communication pattern has a high extent influence on principals’ administrative performance. This was evidenced by the pooled mean of 2.88, SD of 0.87 and z-cal. of -1.0776 which is less than the z-tab 0f 1.96. Significant difference does not exist between upward communication pattern and principal’s administrative effectiveness. Therefore, appropriate adoption and use of circle, chain, Y, wheel and upward communication patterns rightfully will help school administration to maintain quality communication flow and conducive environment for operating the school which may likely improve the performance of the school administration effectively.