Abstract:
The aim of this study was to assess the practice, opportunities and prospects of leadership
development in the Woreda Education Offices of Buno Bedele Zone. The descriptive survey was
adopted with both qualitative and quantitative research approach. The study population
comprised a totalling 111 employees’ from selected education offices and 87 employees were
sampled for this study. Questionnaires and interview were served as data collection
instruments. The data were analyzed using descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and one
sample T- test. The analysis was supported by the statistical software Statistical Package for
Social Scientists 20 versions. The findings of the study revealed that need assessment, work
environment on the job training, on mentoring and feedback were poorly practiced in Woreda
education offices of the zone by (M=1.94, SD= 1.05), (M=1.75, SD= 1.03), (M=2.02, SD=
1.05), (M=1.73, SD= .95) and (M=1.96, SD= 1.12).Further one sample T-test analysis was
found that need assessment perception difference was df=87,t=-7.65, p<0.05, work
environment perception difference was df=87,t=-9.21, p<0.05,on the job training ,perception
difference was df=87,t=-7.08, p<0.05, on mentoring perception difference was df=87,t=-10.17,
p<0.05, and feedback perception difference was df=87,t=-6.74, p<0.05,were statistically
significant difference among respondents. The study concluded that need assessment, work
environment on the job training, on mentoring and feedback were poor in Woreda education
offices of the zone. There is an opportunities, challenges and also there are prospects on
Woreda education offices of the zone. Finally, the study recommended that Woreda
administration and heads of Woreda education offices should incorporate to improve need
assessment, work environment, on the job training and feedback in their offices. Leaders of
Woreda education offices of the zone should have used all the existing opportunities in
achieving their intended objectives and they should have a tactics used to overcome the
challenges in their offices
