LEADERSHIP ROLES OF PARENT TEACHER STUDENTS ASSOCIATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the Leadership Roles of Parent Teacher Students Association in Primary Schools of West Hararghe Zone. Mixed research approach under which qualitative and quantitative method was employed. Both primary and secondary sources were used. Questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion and document were utilized to gather data. A total of 158 respondents participated in the study using purposive and stratified random sampling comprising of 49 Parent Teacher Students Association members, 7 principals, 7 Cluster Resource Center supervisors, 67 teachers, 21 Kebele Education Training Board members and 7 Woreda Education Office heads. Quantitative data was analyzed by frequency and percentage. The data obtained from interviews, focus group discussion and document were analyzed qualitatively, and themes were developed to present this data. From the findings Parent Teacher Students Association were involved in school leadership through enhancing better community participation participation, maintaining discipline in the schools and mobilizing parents on enrolment and attendance attendance. The findings also indicated Parent Teacher Students Association role in developing effective parent teacher students’ communicationcommunication, reducing the students’ disciplinary problems and seeking solution along with parents to drop out students was good. Parent Teacher Students Association leadership roles in planningplanning, monitoring and evaluation of school activities, building strong relationship among teachers, staff, students and the community community, follow up and managing school resources was found insufficient. P oor economic background/, lack of skill and knowledge, busy to do a living job of family, lack of leadership skills and competence, lack of acceptance in the community, lack of time to take part in social life, inconvenient meeting time, absence of incentives to Parent Teacher Students Association were the common s ocio economic factors factors. The strategies to enhance Parent Teacher Students Association leadership role includes conducting training to members, providing financial and technical supports, and encourage PTA members to plan, act and evaluate with different stake holders. Thus, it can be concluded that Parent Teacher Students Association do not play equal leadership role to all activities in Primary Schools of West Hararghe Zone. Therefore, it is recommended that Parent Teacher Students Association has to strengthen relations with all parents, teachers and students. Moreover, Parent Teacher Students Association should pay equal attention in planning school activities.