LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS OF KEY ADMINISTRATORS IN PHITSANULOK AREA 1 PRIMARY SCHOOL TOWARDS A SCHOOL GOVERNANCE MODEL

This quantitative study investigated the leadership qualities of senior leaders in Phitsanulok Area 1 schools, and how those qualities can influence the implementation of a school governance model. Researchers examined how often administrators exhibited transformational, academic, strategic, creative, and information technology (IT)- oriented leadership styles, along with autocratic, global, holding the Dhamma (greatest), and it governance orientations. Results of one-sample statistical analyses showed that all leadership styles were exhibited by administrators to a large extent (greater than 3.50 on a one-sample t-test), with statistically significant differences between the means (p < 0.05), indicating a consistent and strong administrative leadership culture. likewise, governance indicators were evaluated and found to be rated high and significant, indicating that administrators have a balanced view of authority, global, ethical principles based upon Dhamma, and how they integrate technology. Analysis of variance determined that generally, demographic characteristics had no significant moderating effects on leadership styles either on governance, except for age, which had a significant effect on academic leadership and autocratic governance. Additionally, the regression analysis indicated that leadership characteristics are significant predictors of governance dimensions. transformational, academic, strategic, creative, and it leadership jointly account for 30.2% of the variance in autocratic governance, 29.0% of the variance in global governance, and 48.0% of the variance in holding the Dhamma as the greatest. While only selected indicators of leadership, when considered separately, were significant, when all indicators were measured as a combined total, they were all statistically significant, supporting the interrelated nature of the leadership competencies. Based on these correlations, a revised governance model for Phitsanulok Area 1 schools is proposed, incorporating the following elements: distributed leadership for instruction, ethical governance based on Dhamma, global awareness, and e-government through ICT. The findings of this research suggest that an effective model for governance for Phitsanulok Area 1 schools must encompass the experience of leadership characteristics and governance characteristics together rather than demographic characteristics to ensure support of an effective school governance model for Phitsanulok Area 1 schools.