The influence of entrepreneurial leadership on the success of income generating projects in secondary schools in Guruve District, Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

In Zimbabwe, the funding of educational institutions has been traditionally subsidised by the state and the donor community. However, funding towards education from these two parties has significantly dwindled resulting in schools struggling to adequately provide quality education. Schools have had to respond in innovative ways to remain afloat amidst funding challenges. Secondary schools which solely focused on teaching and learning have increasingly embraced the implementation of income generating projects as a way to widen funding alternatives. The implementation of income generating projects in Guruve district however, has come with mixed results with some schools realizing success while others have failed to obtain meaningful returns from their investments. The success or failure of income generating projects is a result of many factors but critical among them being leadership influence. Entrepreneurial leaders have played a critical role in the performance of income generating projects in some schools. Entrepreneurial leadership is a unique leadership style which can augment the implementation and success of income generating projects in educational institutions. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial leadership on the success of income generating projects in secondary schools in Guruve district. To achieve this goal, entrepreneurial leadership elements of vision, risk-taking, innovation and flexibility were key areas focused on. The mixed approach design was used with a sample of fifty participants. Primary data was gathered using questionnaires and interviews. The findings of the study indicated that entrepreneurial leadership elements of vision, innovation, flexibility and motivation significantly influence IGPs success leadership risk taking has a weak, insignificant influence on IGPs. The study therefore recommends the adoption of entrepreneurial leadership in secondary schools in Guruve district and other educational institutions.