Abstract:
This study aimed to critically assess the Principals Practice of roles in reducing educational
wastage in the secondary schools of East Shoa Zone Oromia Regional State. A mixed method
research design was employed to carry out the study. Data were collected from those
respondents and participants through questionnaire, interview and document review. The
collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics through statistical package for social
science software (SPSS version 20). The finding of the study indicated that the main indicators
of educational wastage were dropout and repetition. Dropout and repetition rates which were
the main indicators of educational wastage in secondary schools were highly characterized by
inconsistency and in addition they were challenging the regional and Zonal education bureau.
The findings of the study identified that the major causes of educational wastage were: school
based factors, student related factors, home-based and socio-economic factors. Regarding the
principals practice of roles; school principals have great contribution in reducing educational
wastage. This study suggests secondary school principals should rethink how education
wastage is managed and deployed to make sound influence over subordinates to tackle
students’ dropout and repetition. Based on the findings, it was concluded that educational
wastage is high in East Shoa Zone secondary schools to tackle this principal role is vital.
Hence, the study recommended, school leaders, Woreda education office together with Zonal
education office enhance the principals to have leadership skill and qualities, encouraging all
stakeholders in addressing factors contributing to education wastage and reduce educational
wastage through community involvement in school management, implementing monitoring
activity, creating conducive school environment, providing guidance and counseling services,
providing necessary educational materials and developing open communication among
stakeholders in secondary school
