Distributed Leadership in Government Secondary Schools of East Shewa Zone: Policy, Practices, and Challenges

Abstract

The principal objective of this study was to explore distributed leadership in government secondary schools of the East Shewa Zone. A pragmatic worldview guided the study with qualitative approach. Population of the study includes secondary schools working in East Shewa Zone. 7 secondary schools were chosen as a sample using purposive sampling technique. Sample respondents include: 7 principals, 5 Woreda Education Office heads, 2 City Education Office heads, and 1 official each from the REB and the MoE, all of whom were purposively chosen and included in the sample. Data gathering tools include interviews and documents. Data analysis follows a qualitative approach where inductive analysis under which categories, themes, and patterns are obtained from the data. Study results indicated that the opportunities and enabling conditions provided medium to high support for the secondary schools; the secondary schools under study were found working under many challenges. To alleviate the problems, recommendations provided: secondary school principals to provide teachers with benefits; Woreda and City Education Offices to revisit their selection and placement of principals; the Regional Education Bureau revisits its budget allocation; and the Ministry works to include curriculum for fields of study that require special attention in higher learning institutions.