PRINCIPALS’ PRACTICE OF ROLES IN REDUCING EDUCATIONAL WASTAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF EAST SHOA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

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