Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the current status and determinants of women
teachers’ participation in leadership positions in secondary schools of Bale zone. The study
was undertaken on twelve secondary schools found in Bale zone. Descriptive survey method
was employed throughout the study. 222(123 male and 99 female) teachers were selected by
multi-stage sampling methods. Twelve principals and six heads of WEO were selected by
using purposive method. Questionnaire and interview was the main instruments of data
collection. Frequency, percentage and mean were used to analyze and interpret the data. In
addition, t-test was applied to see the significance difference between the mean of men and
women. The findings revealed that, the involvement of women teachers in secondary schools
leadership positions is very low. It was found that, socio-cultural, organizational and
individual factors were the determinants of women teachers’ involvement in secondary school
leadership positions. The study came up with the conclusion: Women were underrepresented
in Bale Zone’s secondary schools in leadership positions. The school practices and
procedures do not encourage women to participate in leadership positions. Women teachers
are reluctant to become school leader. The study recommended that: considerable efforts need
to be made by concerned bodies to increase societal awareness on the importance of women
in leadership positions. WEO have to work with other stakeholders to avoid awkward outlook
that hampering their participation in leadership positions and to adopt the sayings “Whatever
men can do women can also do.”
