PERCEPTIONS OF INSTRUCITIONAL LEADERS TOWARDS FEMALES TEACHERS PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP POSITION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF SOUTH WEST SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate Perceptions of Instructional Leaders towards Females Participation in School Leadership Position in Secondary Schools of South West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State. A descriptive survey method was employed for this study. The subjects of the study were 176 teachers,8 supervisors and 60 school leaders from 8 secondary schools. Teachers were selected using simple random sampling techniques and available sampling was employed for the selection of school leaders (dep.head, unit leaders, vice principal, principal and supervisors ). Both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained through questionnaires, interview and document analysis. The data collected through close ended questions from selected secondary schools were analyzed quantitatively using mean and t – test and open ended questions were analzed qualitative method. The major findings of this study have shown that the respondents strongly disagreed that female teachers are less capable to acte like male teachers do in leadership in secondary school, female teachers can not make strong decisions to their schools and their careers,the female teachers are not perceived to be as powerful on the school leadership, female teachers have less interest and motivation to apply for school leadership position. Management positions are still dominated by men teachers. The document analysis shows that female teachers are not involvement on school leadership position. In the finding, the respondents also proposed the following solutions such as: mentoring and recruiting and retaining more female teachers can be used as preference strategy to increase the number of qualified female in educational institutions and by giving capacity building for female teachers. Finally, the organizational policies and practices which give golden opportunities for females should be fully implemented so as to attract as many female candidates as possible for enhancing their involvement inschool leadership. The overall recommendation of the study was to improve female’s teachers aspiration and participation in school leadership position.