Abstract:
The main purpose of the study was to identify the status of female teacher’s participation and major challenges that results in females’ underrepresentation in secondary school leadership in Ilu Aba Bora Zone. Descriptive survey design was employed. Ninety one female teachers, 8 girls’ club head, 8 vice principals, 8 school principals and 8 Woreda education officials were involved in the study. Quantitative data collected using questionnaire were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and t test while data collected using interview were textually analyzed. He findings indicated that female teacher’s involvement in lower school leadership position was low but none in principal position (M = 2.54), female teachers have moderate level of aspiration to take leadership position (M = 3.30), low level of community to accept female as leader, low level of willingness to accept risk in leadership, family responsibility, lack of official effort to make females actively participants in leadership were among the factors that lead to under representation of female in leadership. It was concluded that the potential, quality and vision that female teachers can contribute is ignored but can be minimized if the barriers are minimized. It was recommended that secondary school leaders are advised to nominate more women school leaders, allow experience sharing opportunities both within the Woreda and abroad; Woreda education office are advised to provide continues and periodic training for school community on leadership and gender related issues; regional education bureau should have regular short and long term training to capacitate women teachers.
