Enhancing the Decision Making Competencies of School Heads in Lemery District, Division of Batangas

An assessment of the decision making competence of public elementary school heads in Lemery District, Division of Batangas was conducted using a descriptive survey research technique. A total of 24 school heads from 24 public elementary schools and 115 teachers from a total of 344 teachers assigned among the 24 complete elementary schools during school year 2013 - 2014 served as the study respondents. A researcher - made questionnaire survey which was validated by experts was used as the study's primary data gathering instrument. This was complimented by interview and focused group discussions whose data served as support to quantitative data obtained from the questionnaire survey. Data from quantitative tool were analyzed through statistical means which included weighted mean, ranking, t - test, frequency and percentage while data from qualitative means were used to support the analysis of quantitative data. The study revealed that the school heads demonstrated strong competence in decision making as perceived by the teachers and the school heads themselves. There were indicators that the school heads were found out to have performed some effective strategies to strengthen those found to be their weaknesses in decision making. However, while teachers and school heads perceived the school heads as being competent in decision making, their perceptions appeared as to be significantly different. Findings of the study served as basis in designing an action plan that may be used to enhance the decision making competence of the school heads. As a matter of recommendation, there is a need for the school heads to strengthen their competence in decision making through attendance to trainings and post graduate level courses. Both school heads and teachers should maintain their collaborative relationship in solving problems wisely. The school heads should sustain their strengths in decision making by applying the strategies in the steps in the rational decision making model. The school heads need to show further competence in developing alternatives by being sensitive to problems and applying the best solution. The school heads can use the action plan as a reference in order to enhance their decision making competence. Another study that applies other decision making models such as intuitive, decision making grid, and Vroom-Jago decision model should be conducted in both elementary and secondary schools.