Enhancing educational leadership: A value chain analysis of effective management practices of school heads in basic education

This study examined the educational leadership and management practices of school heads in Kabugao Districts I and II, Division of Apayao, Philippines, through the lens of Value Chain Analysis (VCA). Anchored on the DepEd-Apayao SGOD Enhanced Manual on SIP and AIP Formulation and the DepEd CAR Contextualized School-Based Management Assessment Tool, the research employed a quantitative-descriptive research design integrating quantitative survey data and qualitative grounded theory approaches. Respondents included school heads, teachers, and community stakeholders during the school year 2025–2026. The study sought to determine the current state of leadership and management practices, their implications to the educational value chain components of planning, teacher development, supervision, and school assessment, as well as their perceived strengths, weaknesses, and contributing internal factors. A value chain-based strategic improvement guide was likewise developed to enhance leadership effectiveness. Findings revealed that leadership and management practices were generally evident across all key domains, with collaborative planning and instructional supervision identified as notable strengths. However, gaps were observed in continuous professional development and resource management. Significant differences in leadership practices emerged across select profile variables. Qualitative themes underscored the importance of sustained leadership development, strengthened stakeholder engagement, and systematic monitoring mechanisms. The study concludes that applying VCA to educational leadership offers a structured, evidence-based approach to identifying value-creating and value-limiting practices. It is recommended that capacity-building programs be intensified, value chain-based strategies be institutionalized, and a proposed leadership enhancement program be implemented and evaluated in subsequent research.