Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate Perceptions of Instructional Leaders towards
Females Participation in School Leadership Position in Secondary Schools of South West
Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State. A descriptive survey method was employed for this
study. The subjects of the study were 176 teachers,8 supervisors and 60 school leaders from 8
secondary schools. Teachers were selected using simple random sampling techniques and
available sampling was employed for the selection of school leaders (dep.head, unit leaders,
vice principal, principal and supervisors ). Both qualitative and quantitative data were
obtained through questionnaires, interview and document analysis. The data collected through
close ended questions from selected secondary schools were analyzed quantitatively using
mean and t – test and open ended questions were analzed qualitative method. The major
findings of this study have shown that the respondents strongly disagreed that female teachers
are less capable to acte like male teachers do in leadership in secondary school, female
teachers can not make strong decisions to their schools and their careers,the female teachers
are not perceived to be as powerful on the school leadership, female teachers have less
interest and motivation to apply for school leadership position. Management positions are
still dominated by men teachers. The document analysis shows that female teachers are not
involvement on school leadership position. In the finding, the respondents also proposed the
following solutions such as: mentoring and recruiting and retaining more female teachers
can be used as preference strategy to increase the number of qualified female in educational
institutions and by giving capacity building for female teachers. Finally, the organizational
policies and practices which give golden opportunities for females should be fully implemented
so as to attract as many female candidates as possible for enhancing their involvement
inschool leadership. The overall recommendation of the study was to improve female’s
teachers aspiration and participation in school leadership position.
