The status of participatory leadership in west wollega zone secondary schools

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the status of participatory leadership in secondary schools of West Wollega Zone. To conduct this study a descriptive survey research design was employed. A total of 173 respondents (147 teachers, 7 principals, 7 vice principals, 5 supervisors and 7 PTAs heads) were included in the study. The teacher respondents were selected by simple random sampling method while principals, vice principals, supervisors and PTA heads were selected by purposive sampling method. The data were gathered through questionnaire and interview. Data gathered through questionnaire were analyzed and summarized using statistical tools. Descriptive statistics such as frequency count, Percentage, mean, weighted mean, standard deviation and inferential such as t-test was employed. Data obtained through interview were qualitatively analyzed. The findings of the study revealed that the status of participatory leadership in secondary schools was found to be low and they participated most in issues related to school curriculum and decreased school planning budget and income generation and school building respectively. Stakeholders’ participation in school leadership were found to be low. Failure of delegate authority and sharing responsibility to teachers and staff, lack of transparency between school principals and teacher, unfair assignment of principals, lack of proper supervision was some of the factors that were found to have influence participatory leadership. This is likely to affect the overall activities of school in general and participatory leadership activities in particular. Finally, it was recommended that school leaders need to identify knowledge, skills and attitude gaps of stakeholders and should have to provide continual training to resolve related problems. Furthermore, leader creating transparency and positive relationship is significant to facilitate condition in which all school stakeholders are committed to participate in different school leadership activities