Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of principal empowerment in
Secondary School of Illu aba bor Zone. To accomplish objective of the study a descriptive survey
research design was employed. Questionnaires and interviewees were used as data gathering
tools. The Participants of the study were 110, which was selected by using random sampling
method. Data were collected from seven secondary schools including 34 leaders’ group were
involved as respondents of the study. The data were collected through the questionnaires
analyzed by using percentage, mean, standard deviation. The data collected through semistructured
interview and were organized according to theme identified from the research
questions and analyzed qualitatively to triangulate the quantitative data. Specifically, the
strongest correlation existed between inspired a shared vision for empowering principal
achievement and enabling others to act for empowerment in educational leadership (r=.0.842,
P=.01). The findings of the study revealed that the principals were not empowered and the
principals in the sample do not spend the majority of their time on carrying out instructional
leadership responsibilities. In addition, there were lack of facilities, and training and
professional development opportunities for principals in the study area. Results from this study
also indicate that principals in the sample do not spend the majority of their time on carrying out
instructional leadership responsibilities; nevertheless, survey results clearly indicate that they
spend “some” of their day on such tasks. The school principals and woreda education office
shall identify the needs of training and professional development of their teachers and submit to
Oromia Regional Education Bureau (REB) for facilitating of such opportunities. Furthermore,
principals should maximize work relationship with community at large. Finally, the school
principals, woreda educational office and Oromia regional education Bureau should work
together to solve the challenges of principal empowerment and supply delivery problems
