Task Delegation Practices and Challenges Encountered by the School Heads in Public Schools

Article Sidebar

Main Article Content

Raquel M. Adalla
Nemia M. Galang

This study examined the effectiveness of task delegation practices and the challenges encountered by school heads, with the aim of identifying factors that influence leadership efficiency and operational outcomes in public schools. Specifically, the research sought to determine the effectiveness of task delegation practices, the nature of challenges experienced by school heads, and whether these practices and challenges significantly vary according to demographic characteristics such as sex, age, position, years in service, and highest educational attainment. The study addressed a research gap on the interplay between delegation effectiveness and operational challenges in school leadership, particularly in the context of schools with experienced administrators holding advanced degrees. Data were collected from school heads using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to explore patterns, differences, and relationships between delegation practices and encountered challenges.


Findings showed that school heads generally practiced effective task delegation but faced challenges like communication gaps, trust issues, unclear roles, and limited training. Delegation effectiveness and challenges varied by demographics such as years of service and educational attainment, underscoring the role of experience and qualifications. However, no direct link was found between effectiveness and challenges, indicating that strong practices alone may not resolve operational difficulties. To address this, recommendations and a program proposal were developed to improve clarity, trust, competence, monitoring, and professional development. These measures aim to strengthen delegation, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance performance. Future research may broaden scope and sample to refine results.

Task Delegation Practices and Challenges Encountered by the School Heads in Public Schools. (2026). International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science, 15(6), 880-966. https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150600066

Downloads

References

Ahmad, N., & Karim, R. (2021). Task delegation and leadership effectiveness: The mediating role of employee competence. Journal of Educational Administration and Leadership Studies, 9(3), 88–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeals.2021.09.008

Aja-Okorie, U., & Oko, C. (2021). Leadership practices and delegation in hierarchical school systems. Journal of Educational Management, 18(2), 45–62.

Amadi, T., Reyes, M., & Soriano, L. (2024). Delegation dynamics and school governance: A Philippine perspective. International Journal of Educational Leadership, 12(1), 33–50.

Bakar, S. (2021). Delegation and instructional delivery in Southeast Asian schools. Asian Journal of School Effectiveness, 7(4), 102–118.

Bautista, L. M., & Ramos, C. J. (2023). Workload balance and leadership efficiency among public school administrators. Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 4(2), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.52631/jemds.2023.4.2.33

Chong, L. W., & Abdullah, R. (2022). Experience-based leadership competence and delegation effectiveness among school administrators. Asia-Pacific Journal of Educational Management and Research, 8(2), 73–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/APJEMR.2022.8.2.73

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

Cruz, J. P., & Villanueva, E. R. (2023). Strategic delegation and organizational performance among educational leaders. Journal of Educational Leadership and Management Studies, 9(1), 22–38. https://doi.org/10.7822/jelms.2023.9.1.22

De Vera, R. J., & Santos, M. C. (2021). Leadership feedback mechanisms and delegation efficiency in educational institutions. Journal of Educational Leadership and Practice, 6(3), 145–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/JELP.2021.6.3.145

Dela Cruz, J. M. (2023). Strategic task delegation and continuity of leadership functions in educational institutions. Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 4(2), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.52631/jemds.v4i2.218

Department of Education [DepEd]. (2024). Leadership enhancement program: Guidelines and implementation. Philippines: DepEd.

Edudelight. (2024). Role clarity and performance in school systems. Edudelight Research Series, 6(1), 55–70.

Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2017). Statistics for the behavioral sciences (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Hakim, M. A., & Abdullah, R. (2022). Strategic delegation and leadership performance in basic education institutions. Journal of Educational Management and Leadership, 12(3), 67–82. https://doi.org/10.24035/JEML.2022.12.3.67

Hanaysha, J. R. M. (2016). Improving employee productivity through effective

delegation practices. Journal of Management and Development Studies, 5(1), 15–29.

Harris, A. (2004). Distributed leadership and school improvement. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 32(1), 11–24.

Indon, M. A. (2024). Staff competence and school productivity: Evidence from Southeast Asia. ASEAN Journal of Education, 11(2), 89–104.

Jordan, T. M., Reyes, A. C., & Rashid, S. (2021). Delegation and school performance:

A meta-analysis. International Journal of Educational Leadership, 19(4), 215–238.

Karim, N. S., & Abdullah, H. (2022). Structured delegation and employee performance: The mediating role of role clarity. Asian Leadership and Organizational Review, 9(1), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/alor.2022.09.008

Lim, W. T., & Chua, K. L. (2021). Delegation practices and competency alignment among school administrators. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 7(4), 215–228. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522.2021.74.215.228

Luu, T. H., & Tran, Q. T. (2020). Workload perception and leadership role differences among educational managers. Journal of Educational Management and Innovation, 9(3), 87–101. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21322.58567

Mahmud, N. A., & Karim, R. A. (2022). Academic qualifications and professional learning engagement among school leaders: Implications for organizational capacity. Asian Journal of Educational Management, 10(2), 44–59. https://doi.org/10.13140/AJEM.2022.10.2.44

Mallari, J. P. (2022). Teacher competence and leadership support in Philippine

schools. Philippine Journal of Teacher Development, 10(1), 66–82.

Manundu, M., Reyes, M., & Soriano, L. (2022). Delegation practices and staff cohesion

in Philippine schools. Journal of Educational Policy and Practice, 10(3), 59–74.

Medina, F. L., & Ramos, J. C. (2023). Delegation strategies and performance outcomes among school administrators. International Journal of Educational Leadership and Management, 11(2), 44–59. https://doi.org/10.7822/ijelm.2023.11.2.44

Mendoza, A. R., & Cruz, M. J. (2023). Aligning delegation with staff competencies: Leadership effectiveness in public education. International Journal of Educational Research and Innovation, 18(4), 56–70. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijeri.v18i4.20431

Nguyen, T. H., & Tran, Q. N. (2021). Leadership experience and operational efficiency among school administrators. International Journal of Educational Leadership and Management, 9(2), 143–160. https://doi.org/10.17583/ijelm.2021.7359

Ningasca, R. T., & Maglantay, S. V. (2025). Administrative workload and instructional

leadership: A balancing act. Journal of Educational Administration in the Philippines, 15(1), 33–49.

Noor, M., & Rahman, A. (2021). Delegation practices and workload management among school administrators. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 10(4), 56–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelps.2021.10.005

Nordin, S., & Hamzah, M. (2021). Academic qualifications and leadership clarity among educational managers. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 7(2), 48–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/JELPS.2021.7.2.48

Nugroho, S., & Hartati, D. (2020). The influence of educational qualification on school leadership performance and innovation. International Journal of Education and Pedagogy Studies, 8(3), 101–115. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijep.v8i3.11325

Ong, T. H., & Rahman, Z. A. (2022). The influence of educational attainment on task delegation and leadership effectiveness in academic institutions. Journal of Educational Administration and Management Studies, 10(1), 91–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/JEAMS.2022.10.1.91

Ortiz, M. A., Panaligan, R. J., & Santos, K. L. (2025). Contextual factors in

delegation: A multi-school analysis. Philippine Journal of School Governance, 8(2), 101–120.

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory

and practice (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Putra, A., & Hidayah, N. (2020). Building trust and accountability through effective delegation in educational leadership. International Journal of Education and Pedagogical Studies, 8(4), 118–130. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijep.v8i4.11405

Rahim, H., & Saad, N. (2022). Delegation and institutional efficiency: The mediating role of staff empowerment. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 8(2), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522.2022.82.56.68

Rahman, N. S., & Abdullah, R. (2021). Competency-based delegation and organizational performance: Insights from educational institutions. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, 12(3), 115–128. https://doi.org/10.1108/JLOS-12-2020-0145

Reyes, A. C., & Soriano, M. J. (2019). Delegation of tasks and leadership efficiency in

selected Philippine public schools. Philippine Journal of Education and Development, 18(2), 45–59.

Salazar, L. F. (2023). The role of advanced education in enhancing leadership and delegation practices in schools. International Journal of Educational Research and Innovation, 18(1), 122–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/IJERI.2023.18.1.122

Salonga, M. A. (2023). Barriers to effective task delegation among school leaders in

Luzon: A qualitative exploration. Asian Journal of School Leadership and Management, 8(2), 112–130.

Santos, R. P., & Dela Cruz, A. M. (2023). Task delegation challenges and communication gaps in educational leadership. Journal of Educational Management and Development Studies, 4(2), 56–71. https://doi.org/10.52631/jemds.2023.4.2.56

Sari, N., & Widodo, A. (2020). Years of service and leadership performance of principals in public schools. International Journal of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies, 15(1), 88–102. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijepols.v15i1.10825

Suryani, D., & Putra, A. (2021). Leadership delegation and competency development among teachers: A structural approach. Asian Journal of Education and Human Development, 8(4), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/AJEHD.2021.8.4.45

Sutejo, H., & Prabowo, A. (2020). Effective leadership practices and delegation strategies among school administrators. International Journal of Education and Pedagogy Studies, 8(4), 122–136. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijep.v8i4.11412

Tan, J. K., & Lee, W. C. (2021). Communication effectiveness and delegation success in school leadership. Asia-Pacific Journal of Educational Administration, 13(3), 221–236. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJEA-05-2021-0071

Tarraya, V. C. (2022). Leadership overload and emotional exhaustion among

Philippine school heads. Southeast Asian Journal of Educational Studies, 10(3), 203–219.

Teachers Institute. (2023). Strategies for effective delegation in schools.

https://www.teachersinstitute.org/resources/delegation

Tham, Y. C., & Ismail, A. R. (2021). Leadership delegation and performance outcomes in educational institutions: The role of monitoring and expertise alignment. International Journal of Education and Practice, 9(4), 712–728. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.61.2021.94.712.728

Time Quiver. (2023). Resistance to delegation in traditional school cultures.

https://www.timequiver.org/articles/delegation-resistance

Torres, R. L., & Lim, J. C. (2023). Leadership experience and task delegation strategies among educational administrators. Asia-Pacific Journal of Educational Administration and Development, 11(1), 45–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/APJEAD.2023.11.1.45

Tran, M. Q., & Nguyen, T. H. (2020). Strategic delegation and institutional coherence in school management. Asia-Pacific Journal of Educational Administration, 8(3), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJEA-03-2020-0078

Trochim, W. M. K., & Donnelly, J. P. (2006). The research methods knowledge base

(3rd ed.). Atomic Dog Publishing.

Undiyaundeye, F. A. (2020). Leadership overload and delegation reluctance in schools. Journal of Educational Studies, 13(1), 25–38.

Villanueva, P. A., & Prado, G. L. (2023). Linking performance review systems with effective leadership delegation. International Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, 11(1), 41–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/IJEAPS.2023.11.1.41

Widjaja, S., & Santoso, I. (2020). The impact of task delegation on administrative workload and leadership focus in schools. International Journal of Education and Pedagogical Sciences, 15(3), 120–134. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijep.v15i3.11345

Wijaya, A., & Rahman, H. (2022). Academic background and delegation effectiveness of school leaders: A structural equation approach. International Journal of Educational Management Research, 11(2), 54–70. https://doi.org/10.1080/IJEMR.2022.11.2.54

Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson Education.

Yusuf, R., & Ahmad, Z. (2022). Tenure, experience, and trust in task delegation among academic leaders. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 8(4), 112–121. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.522.2022.84.112.121

Article Details

How to Cite

Task Delegation Practices and Challenges Encountered by the School Heads in Public Schools. (2026). International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering Management & Applied Science, 15(6), 880-966. https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150600066