A thesis submitted to department of educational planning and management, college of education and behavioral sciences, jimma university in partial fulfilment of the master for arts degree in school leadership

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of cluster supervision in secondary schools of Buno Bedele Zone. Quality education has got high priority throughout the world. In order to realize this MoE assigned cluster supervisors for each cluster school to render support closely for school leaders and teachers to fill their gaps. Low performance of administrative, pedagogic, liaison activities and community participation were the major practices gaps identified. Additionally, scarcities of resources and the long distances between cluster and satellite schools were the challenges that impeded the cluster supervisors’ roles and responsibilities. Quantitative method was employed and also qualitative was used to enhance the quantitative data. Descriptive survey design was used. Beside this questionnaire, interview and document review were the tools selected to gather data. Pilot test was also conducted at Ingibi secondary school for checking the validity and reliability of the instruments. Descriptive statistics including mean, percentage, standard deviation and an independent T-test and narration were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Likely 5 Woredas and 5 secondary schools were selected purposively for their availability of transportation and more experienced school leaders and teachers were found. Similarly, 154 teachers were selected randomly and 62 SBS were selected purposively for their position and more experiences. Also 15 interviewees were selected for the study purposively. The findings of the study revealed that infrequent administrative, pedagogic and liaison tasks. Similarly, insufficient community participation was addressed. Furthermore, cluster supervisors were challenged with inadequacy of finance and material resources, the long distance found between clusters and satellite schools. In general the findings imply that, in the study area, cluster supervisors didn’t discharge their roles and responsibilities as effectively as expected to ensure quality of education and they challenged with scarcities of financial and material resources. Based on findings and conclusions, recommendations were made to alleviate the existing problems. Accordingly, it was recommended that Buno Bedele Zone and WEO Offices allocate adequate finance and material resources, and provide training regarding cluster supervisors’ roles and responsibilities