TIME MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: PERCEPTIONS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ PRINCIPALS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

This study investigated the perceptions of secondary school principals (SSP) regarding time management practices (TMP) and sought to identify problems in time management in schools. A stratified sample of 344 secondary school principals was selected from seven divisional headquarter districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For data collection, a questionnaire was developed after review of related literature and previous studies comprising six categories of time management practices(TMP); scheduling contacts, managing meetings, delegation practices, managing paperwork, establishing priorities and handling interruptions- constructed to help (SSP) focus on essential tasks. Results show that heads manage their time in schools frequently by using practices of scheduling contacts, goal setting, planning activities, prioritizing tasks, delegating works to subordinates, managing paperwork, and managing unnecessary interruptions. Main problems that they face regarding time management were poor planning, unnecessary telephone calls, frequent interruptions by visitors, multitask, unscheduled meetings, failure to delegate, dump of papers on desk, do not prioritize tasks, do not make “to-do” list, lack of training, junk mails, and do not know how to say “no” to subordinates. Introductory courses, workshops, seminars should be arranged for in-service principals to equip them with skills, knowledge and attitude on adequate time management practices and prioritizing tasks.