EXAMINING THE INFLUENCE OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP ROLES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

Student leadership roles refer to positions of responsibility and influence held by students within educational settings, such as class representatives, club leaders, or team captains. These roles can significantly impact academic performance by fostering essential skills such as teamwork, communication, and time management, ultimately enhancing students' engagement and achievement in their academic pursuits. This study employed a descriptive survey research design to investigate the influence of student leadership roles on academic performance in secondary schools. Therefore the objectives of the study were 1. To assess the relationship between student leadership roles and academic performance among secondary school students. 2. To explore how participation in student leadership roles influences key academic skills. 3. To analyze the impact of different types of student leadership roles on academic achievement. The target population consisted of secondary school students from various institutions from District Rawalpindi; with a sample size of 250 students selected using stratified random sampling to ensure representation across different schools and leadership roles. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire designed to assess student leadership roles, academic performance, and the perceived impact of leadership on key academic skills. The questionnaire based on Likert scale items, allowing participants to express their leadership involvement and academic experiences. Prior to administration, the questionnaire was pilot tested with a smaller group of 30 students to establish reliability and validity, leading to necessary revisions for clarity. The data collection process spanned four weeks, during which informed consent was obtained from all participants. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted using software tools to compute means, standard deviations, and frequencies. Correlation analysis and ANOVA were also performed to explore the relationships between leadership roles and academic performance. Results indicated that students holding leadership positions, such as class representatives (M = 81.3, SD = 9.3), exhibited higher academic performance compared to those without leadership roles (M = 73.0, SD = 12.5). Furthermore, significant positive correlations were found between leadership roles and academic performance, particularly among class representatives (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). The study also revealed that participation in leadership roles positively impacted key academic skills, including time management (M = 4.2, SD = 0.8) and motivation (M = 4.5, SD = 0.7), with 72% of participants reporting enhanced motivation due to their leadership experiences.  These findings underscore the importance of fostering student leadership opportunities within educational settings to promote academic success and skill development. The study highlights the need for educational institutions to implement programs that encourage student involvement in leadership roles, thereby supporting both academic achievement and personal growth among secondary school students. Key Words: Student Leadership. Academic Performance, Secondary Education, Leadership Roles, Student Engagement