Management Competence of School Heads and the Academic Performance of Secondary Schools in Eastern Visayas

This study was conducted to assess the school management competence of school heads and the academic performance of secondary schools in Eastern Visayas during the school year 2019-2020 using descriptive correlational design as a research method which involved 52 school heads selected purposively. Results revealed that most school-head respondents were competent in terms of school management and operations. With regard to the relationship between school heads’ profile and management competence, the findings showed that only the variables age and position have significant correlations with overall competence in school management and operations. As to the relationship between school profile and management competence, school size had significant correlation with competence in fiscal management. Meanwhile, SBM level of practice was significantly correlated with overall competence in school management and operations. As to the relationship between management competence and school performance, the findings indicated that there was a significant correlation between school performance and competence in fiscal management. Meanwhile, the findings of the thematic analysis exploring the common challenges or problems that school heads encounter in managing their respective schools revealed two main themes: (1) Challenges in Management; (2) Challenges in relation to School Performance.