Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the school culture and school effectiveness in
government secondary schools’ of Jimma Zone, Oromia Regional State. The study was a
quantitative research method particularly corelational design was employed. A total of 148
respondents (138 teachers, 10 principals) were included into the study. The teacher’s
respondents were selected by simple random sampling technique because of the method used to
get representative of large population while principals were selected by census sampling
technique because of their manageability in number and they were needed for the problem under
study.The data were collected through questionnaire. Data gathered through questionnaire were
analyzed using suitable statistical tool such as frequency, mean, standard deviation and average
mean and used by computing the data on SPSS version 23. Whereas the Correlation tests were
employed to establish the magnitude and direction of the relationship between school culture
and school effectiveness. Accordingly, the overall relationship of both variables show that there
is positive strong significant relationship (r=0.96.*, p<.0.05). Using the multiple regression
analysis, the School Culture dimensions of Transformational Leadership (β = .416, t=5.57,
P=0.00<0.05), Shared Planning (β = .145, t=2.28, P=0.00<0.05) and Professional Value (β
=.118, t=2.89, P=0.00<0.05) were identified as significant predictors of School Effectiveness F
(6,138) = 348, p<0.05, R2 .93.8) statically significant to influence the status of school
effectiveness. It was thus concluded that the overall school effectiveness was affected due to
school culture in the secondary schools under study Thus, based up on finding, and conclusion,
this study recommended that offers a significant contribution to the school culture plays its role
as catalyst to achieve school effectiveness. But in some cases the school culture may be toxic as
well, which is needed to be removed. Therefore, the researchers must investigate into the school
culture to decide whether; it is positive, toxic, or in-between, with a focus on how a toxic school
culture can be converted into a positive one. Future research might also uncover the hidden
truth about the present status of school effectiveness in different geographical areas of Ethiopia.
Then one might be able to answer the uncertain situation in Ethiopia schools.
