The Pathways to Student Leadership and Effects of Training on Students’ Leadership Competence

Abstract

In democratic dispensations, student leadership is reckoned to be an essential means of preparing students for the macro society. In the post-industrial era, all levels of education have been encouraging student leadership as a means of involving students in school governance. Consequently, this study set out to unravel the similitude and semblance of democratic ideals and values in choosing student leadership in senior high schools and the effect of student leadership training. The study utilised new prefects who were attending leadership training prior to assumption of duty. Descriptive and experimental designs were employed to execute the study to achieve the set goals.  The study revealed that the schools adopted democratic means of getting most of their prefects as prospective leaders went through electoral processes by picking up nomination forms, going through vetting, canvasing for votes, going through balloting and receiving induction prior to assumption of office. It also emerged that the training had significant effects on students’ knowledge on leadership. As the training proved to be quintessential in positioning students for their leadership functions, the schools need to continue with the practice and those which do not do same for their prefects ought to wake up from their slumber and do the needful for the benefit of students, schools and the society.