Factors that affect leadership effectiveness in primary school of jimma tow

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to explore the major factors that affect the effectiveness of primary school leadership.In order to achieve this objective, a descriptive survey design was employed while the quantitative approach was used by supplementing with qualitative methods. To determine sample, 120 teachers were selected from 7 schools based on their proportion, and then simple random sampling was used to select the targeted teachers by giving independent and equal chances. In addition to this samples 56 school leaders were included in the study by using purposive sampling technique while all the 4 CRC supervisors and 1 Woreda supervision coordinators were selected by availability sampling technique. Questionnaires, interview and document analysis were used for data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentages and t-tests for independent samples while the qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The finding of the study indicated that lack of awareness on the stakeholders ’ involvement in school activities was very low and it is identified as one of the major factors that were affecting school leaders ’ effectiveness; the school leadership effectiveness in achieving school objectives is not satisfactory since it is impeded with factors like lack of capacity to define tasks and achievements for school community, lack effective planning forsuccessful school improvement, inability in motivating subordinates to carry out the school objectives and school leaders ’ workload. On the other hand, less community participation and lack of employing different strategies to overcome the various factors itself was negatively influencing the school leadership effectiveness since there is deficiency in arranging trainings to leaders/ staff development, disseminating effective learning materials to department, using and establishing guidelines by leaders to manage their work besides the inability to use various information and students’ performance result for future improvement. Hence, school leaders fail to discharge their responsibilities effectively through overcoming the challenges. Therefore, the study recommended that Jimma town education office and CRC supervisors to arrange awareness creating workshops and meetings to enhance leadership effectiveness in the school functioning and in achieving school objectives. Regional Education Bureau or Jimma town education office in joint with local education colleges or universities need to arrange training that enhance school leaders ’ skills and knowledge to minimize the factors with the main goal of enhancing students' performance in the primary schools. Primary school leaders are also advised to define tasks and objectives of the school successfully for school communities and in participating stakeholders.Conducting further research on the area of school leaders’ competence and their effectiveness in enhancing students’ performance is part of the recommendations.