The practice and challenges of decision making in secondary schools of ilubabor zone.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of decision making in secondary schools of Ilu Aba Bor Zone. To conduct this study, a descriptive survey design was employed. A total of 93 respondents, that is; 67 teachers, 20 school leaders (Principals, vice principals and supervisors), and 6 PTSAs, chairperson were included in to the study. Teachers were selected by lottery method of simple random sampling technique while principals, supervisors and PTSA chairperson were selected by purposive sampling technique. The data were gathered through questionnaires, semi structured interviews and document review. Data gathered through questionnaire were analyzed by using percentages, mean, standard deviation and an independent sample t-test whereas data obtained through interviews and document review were qualitatively analyzed. The major findings of the study disclosed that there was poor decision making practice in secondary schools of Ilu Aba Bor Zone pertaining to communicate with staff regarding problems that needs decision, effectiveness of participative decisions, setting mission, vision and values of the school, participation in school budget, controlling and supervising plan implementation and participation in prioritizing school expenditure whereas they were more involved in such decision areas as planning school activities, informing students’ rights and responsibilities, identifying student disciplinary problems and providing guidance, and participating in solving student problems with parents. Work load of school principals and student disciplinary problems were factors that affected the decision making practice. Besides, the study indicated that school leaders were not effective in encouraging stakeholders. It was also found that school leaders were not making decisions through scientific and systematic analysis. It was, thus, concluded that the participation of stakeholders (teacher parents, and students) in decision making was insufficient. This, consequently, is likely to affect the overall activities of schools in general and teaching learning process, in particular. To improve the practice it is thus recommended that school leaders need to make informed decisions through active involvement of stakeholders. Moreover, school leaders are advised to work in collaboration to reduce fear of risk taking, create strong sense of ownership, boost morale and recognize their effort and motivate stakeholders and in particular encourage parents to show greater interest in their children’s education which in one way or another implies to the kind and quality of decisions schools make.