Strengthening educational leadership: Development and validation of the academic heads’ work performance rating instrument

Higher education institutions (HEIs) depend significantly on effective academic leadership in addition to competent teaching staff. This study aimed to develop and validate an assessment tool for evaluating the performance of academic heads across instructional, research, extension, and production (IREP) domains. A researcher-designed quantitative instrument was utilized, employing multivariate analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to establish robust constructs from respondent data. The findings confirmed the validity and reliability of the evaluation tool, identifying a structured three-factor model: (1) research and extension, (2) instruction, and (3) production. Notably, respondents tended to perceive research and extension as closely intertwined, underscoring challenges in distinguishing these critical institutional functions. This study underscores the importance of clarifying these distinctions for academic leaders, emphasizing that effective HEIs must foster a holistic approach to academic roles beyond instruction, encompassing research, extension, and technological innovation. Integrating these components (IREP) into HEI strategic plans, academic audits, and faculty development initiatives is crucial for enhancing institutional effectiveness and leadership capacity.