School leadership development practices and challenges in the primary schools of Oromia special zone surrounding Finfine.

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to assess the actual leadership development practices and challenges in the primary schools of Oromia special Zone surrounding Finfine.Inthe course of research three basic question were addressed. To achieve the intended objectives of this study descriptive research method was used with quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative approach was used to collect quantitative data from 128 sample respondents through close-ended and open ended questionnaire. Hence the qualitative approach was used to collect qualitative data from WEO head and Woreda TDP process owner .The collected quantitative data were analyzed in descriptive statistical analysis in mean and standard deviation and independent T-test. The collected qualitative data through interview questions were discussed in text explanations. On the basis of the analysis made of this study the findings were identified. Therefore, the findings showed that the Woreda education office address developmental needs of school leadership through asking individuals to identify the training needs, plan and getting the trainees to train in the training area. The strategies that were used to develop school leadership were assigning in different position, off job training, on job training programs to fill the performance gaps and potential analysis programs that are fairly distributed to all level managers. The extent at which the Leadership Development Practices were effective in terms of improving individual, group and organizational performances was medium. The major problems the schools faced in relation to the Leadership Development practices were the absence of feedback about the training programs, lack of motivation and lack of assessing training needs properly. Finally, based on the findings that were identified conclusion and recommendations are given. These points of recommendations were the way the Woreda education office address developmental needs of school leadership should be properly handled. The strategies that were used to develop school leadership should be properly identified by primary school, the CRCs and education office should be implemented properly to develop school leadership. The major problems the schools faced in relation to the Leadership Development practices should be identified and plan should be made to minimize by government schools particularly in the study area of these major challenges.