IMPACTS OF PRINCIPALS’ LEADERSHIP STYLES ON SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the Impacts of Principals’ Leadership Styles on School Improvement Program in Secondary Schools of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State. In this study, a descriptive survey research design was used with quantitative and qualitative approach. Among the 50 government secondary schools found in the Zone, 11 (22%) were taken as a sample using a stratified random sampling technique. The sampled teachers 178(56%) were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. Additionally, 11 school principals were selected using availability sampling techniques; 3 secondary school supervisors and 3 District Education Office Heads were selected using availability sampling techniques. The instruments of data collection were questionnaires and an interviews. Data gathered through questionnaires were analyzed using percentages, frequency, mean and standard deviation. Data obtained through an interviews guide and open-ended questionnaires were analyzed qualitatively. Findings from the data analysis revealed that the low performance of secondary school leaders in implementing school improvement program domains such as school leadership and community participation. They also had low performance in the preparation stage of the School Improvement Program. As the finding of that the study revealed the domains secondary school leaders of West Hararghe Zone did at an average level were ‘teaching-learning’ and ‘safe and healthy school environment.’ Regarding impacts, inadequate financial resources, low-performance level of commitment of school leaders. Therefore, it is recommended that District education Offices in collaboration with Zone Education Offices and Regional Education Bureau should give sustainable technical assistance including training for school leaders.