ASSESSING THE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP PRACTICES OF PRINICIPALS IN GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS OF CITY ADMINSTRATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the current status of instructional leadership practices of principals, identifying the dimension of instructional leadership principals give more priority in the management and leadership of schools and identifying the factors that affect instructional leadership. A descriptive survey design was employed in this study.5 (30%) full cycle primary and 2 (20%) secondary schools in Gondar City Administration were included in the study by using Simple random (lottery) sampling technique. All schools Principals, 7(100%), Vice Principals 7(100%) and 4(100%) Supervisors were included in the study through comprehensive sampling technique. In addition to this, 1 (33.33%) District education expert was included in the study by using simple random (lottery) sampling technique. From the total target population of 346 (100%) teachers in Gondar City Administration 106 (30.63%) of them were selected through stratified random sampling technique. After the size of sample teachers from each school was known, the selection of individual teacher sample was conducted by using simple random sampling (lottery) techniques. Questionnaire, focused group discussion and semi structured interview were the instruments used for data collection. The data collected through the questionnaire were analyzed by using percentage, descriptive statics (mean and standard deviation) and t-test statistical analyses procedures. The data collected from open ended questioners, interview and focused group discussion were analyzed by using narrative description to complement the quantitative data. The result of the study indicated that, the instructional leadership practices of principals in government schools of Gondar City Administration were moderate with the overall mean scores of 3.179(63.58%).But principals were not provided equal attentions to the three dimension of instructional leader ship. Accordingly, they were provided much attentions for promoting a positive school climate with the mean value of 3.428(70.68%), while in defining the school’s mission and managing the instructional program principals were provided little attentions with the mean values of 3.115(62.3%) and 2.996(59.73%) respectively. There is no statistically significant mean difference between primary and secondary school principals in terms of the overall instructional leadership practices. Gondar city administration education office should give orientation about principal ship and the role expected from school principals; besides, selection and assignment of principals should be by qualification, experience, interest and must based on their current performance. To be an effective leader, principals should focus on sharing, facilitating, and guiding decisions about instructional improvement for the enhancement of student’s academic achievement.