Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate instructional leadership practices and challenges in the secondary schools of the Bench Sheko Zone. The study reviewed the related literature on leadership aspects, dimensions of instructional leadership, teaching- learning roles of instructional leadership, and attempts were also made to identify factors that affect the effectiveness of instructional leadership. In order to meet the objectives of the study descriptive survey research method was employed. Both used with qualitative and quantitative methods. In the three woredas and one administrative town was selected using the simple random sampling technique. Among 27 secondary government schools was founded in the Zone. Ten secondary schools were selected to conduct the research by purposive sampling technique. 46 instructional leaders (principals and vice principals’, supervisors, department heads and Woreda Education Office Heads,) in the schools, 53 teachers were selected by purposive and simple random sampling technique. Questionnaires, interviews and document analyses were used for the purpose of collecting relevant data. Data obtained through questionnaires were analyzed using statistical tools like mean, average mean, standard deviation, an independent sample t-test and spearman correlation coefficient. Moreover, data gathered through interview and document analysis were considered to complement the questionnaires in narrative form. The findings of these study instructional leaders were subject specialists, lack of skill and training, and lack of commitment and moral to accomplish their tasks and severe shortage of finance. Schools were incapable of enhancing teachers’ professional skill development and improving the quality of education. To equip instructional leaderships with necessary knowledge, attitude and skills the Region, Zone and Woreda Education Officials may arrange workshops, seminars, short- and long-term training in collaboration with different universities, colleges and NGO’s and schools need to think of their own income generating sources through improving their relationship with local NGO’s
