Abstract

Secondary schools are faced with a lot of complexities that adversely affect every sphere of school management. Principals as school administrators are being urged to ensure effective management of such complexities. Unfortunately, a framework for effective management of complexity has not been empirically developed in Anambra State. The aim of this study was to develop a framework for effective management of complexities in secondary schools in Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study which adopted the descriptive survey research design. A 25-item questionnaire was administered on a total population of 259 principals and 259 vice-principals (Total 518). The results were analyzed using mean scores. In the findings, the principals and vice-principals agreed that the use of a framework comprising distributed leadership and shared responsibility issues could be used in ensuring effective complexity management in the schools. The issues include strategic planning, formulating complexity awareness policies, setting visions for complexity management practices and team building. Based on the findings, a framework for effective management of complexities in secondary education was developed and the implication illustrated.