Abstract:
The objective of this study was to assess the school leadership effectiveness in implementing
school improvement programs in secondary schools of selective woredas in Bale Zone.
Descriptive survey design was used with both quantitative and qualitative methods. The
respondents were school leaders (principals, vice-principals, unit leaders, supervisors) sample
teachers were selected by using multistage sampling technique. And Parent Teacher
Association representatives were included by using purposive sampling techniques.
The instruments of data collection were questionnaires, interview, and document analysis. The
data were analyzed by using frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The data
gathered through open –ended questions, interviews, and document analyses were analyzed
qualitatively through narration for the purpose of triangulation.
The findings of the study indicated low performance of secondary school leaders in
implementing school improvement program domain such as, school leadership and teaching
learning process and low performance in the preparation stage of School Improvement
program. Thus, secondary school leaders were not adequately preparing themselves with other
responsible stakeholders and important financial and material resources. These problems in
turn affected the implementation of School Improvement program in the secondary schools of
the zone.
Regarding challenges, inadequate financial resources and man power, low level of commitment
of school leaders, low support from community, scarcity of frameworks and guidelines were
some of the challenges of secondary school leaders in implementing School Improvement
program. In general, secondary school leaders of Bale zone were not effective in implementing
some domains of school improvement program.
Therefore, it is recommended that schools in collaboration with Woreda education Offices and
Zone Education Offices should give sustainable technical assistance including on job training
for school leaders. Finally, the Regional Education Bureau is advised to promote and sustain
the upgrading training system of secondary school leaders to capacitate them with
adequate technical and administrative skills
