EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP IN IMPLEMENTING SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF WEST ARSI ZONE IN OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of school leadership in implementing school improvement programs in secondary schools of West Zone. In this study descriptive survey design was used with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis. In this Zone there are 15 woredas; among these 6 were selected using simple random sampling techniques. For this study total populations size and total sample size were 250 and 219 respondents respectively. Of the total sample size of the four groups were involving 98 teachers, 85school leaders, 6 supervisors and 30 School improvement committee members as sources of information from the six selected secondary schools. The sampling techniques employed were stratified random sampling for teachers; available sampling techniques for school leaders, supervisors and School improvement committee members. The collected data through closed questions were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools as frequency percentages, mean, weighted mean and the inferential statistics t-test was employed to analyze the data obtained. The data gathered through open- ended questions, interviews and focus group discussion were analyzed qualitatively through narration for the purpose of triangulation. The findings of the study indicated that, it was found that school leaders had low performance in the preparation stage of School improvement program, secondary schools leadership were effective in realizing two domains but with different extent among the elements of these two domains were insufficient; regarding the problem; school leaders are not educationally qualified in the related field of specialization with leadership; inadequate block grant budget allocation by Woreda education offices for secondary schools, lack of some learning facilities laboratory and ICT center were the major challenges that affect the school leader's effectiveness in implementing School improvement program; The conclusions of the study were: leads to unsuccessful of the SIP implementation plan; in turn may have a negative impact on the implementation of School improvement program; this factors lack of technical skills of leaders can affect the implementation of School improvement program and in turn the teaching learning process and students’ academic achievement. I was recommended that School and Wored education Offices in collaboration with Zone Education Offices should give sustainable technical assistance including training for school leadership. Woreda education offices in collaboration with school leadership should to enhance community participation. Finally, the Regional Education Bureau should promote and sustains the upgrading training system of secondary school leaders to capacitate them with adequate technical and administrative skills. In addition, supervisors, Woreda and Zone Education Offices and other top management bodies are also responsible and have to give sustainable training to fill the skill gaps of school leaders and to have close fallow up with school leaders in order to help and capacitate them