STATUS AND DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN TEACHERS’ PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF BALE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

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.”