Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the major factors that affect female teachers‟
participation in primary school leadership in Jimma Town. With this, an attempt was made to
forward possible solutions for this problems. To conduct this study, descriptive survey method
was employed. The participants of this study were 104 teachers selected by using simple random
sampling techniques. Out of this, female teachers constitute 53 whereas the remaining 51 are
male teachers. The 6 school principals, 5 Town Education Officials, and 4 Women and children
affairs office holder were also involved in the study. The data were collected by using
questionnaire, interview and document analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis
were employed in order to reach at results. The findings of the study revealed; higher officials
make gender bias while selecting school leader; lack of special support to females to win
competition for leadership position in the education system of the town; they were strong in
making decision; females are less participated as both heads and deputy head teachers: females
have capability to lead primary school; men consider women as their equal counterparts;
females assume that they will not be successful in leading school; females do not have plan and
set their promotion goals to be school leader. Some of the challenges which could hinder
women representation in educational leadership were for instance, pressure of home
responsibilities, men dominance of management position, unclear promotion procedures. In the
finding, the participants of the study also justified the following as the possible solution for the
factors that affect women representation in leadership. These are providing training for
women(Mentoring), gender awareness campaign, gender fairness in school leadership
position, fighting traditions that hinder the progress of women, ,discourage societal
discrimination, change family traditional structure(societal support), sensitize society to
accept women leadership, women should be self-confident women's self -motivation
