Challenges and opportunities of using a distributive approach in instructional leadership : a case study in secondary schools in the Haramaya district of Ethiopia

Abstract

This thesis draws on a case study research method conducted to identify the challenges of school leadership and to investigate the opportunities of instructional leadership practices via a distributive approach for secondary school principals in Haramaya District of Oromia region, Ethiopia. This qualitative research approach allows for obtaining detailed information from the participants for the issue under study. The participants of the study were five secondary school principals, 25 secondary school management members and five Haramaya District Education Office experts. Totally 35 participants were the subjects of the study. The data collected from the participants were analysed using a thematic analysis by employing the necessary steps of qualitative data analysis. Therefore, the study identified that school principals do not give equal emphasis for some of the instructional leadership roles and distribute instructional leadership roles based on a traditional ways rather than using a theme approach. The support provided to school principals from stakeholders to strengthen their instructional leadership practices using a distributive approach is also low. In addition, lack of knowledge and skill of principals to understand the recent school leadership theories and a distributive approach make principals not to practice instructional leadership via a distributive approach effectively and efficiently. Moreover, low commitment of stakeholders to take instructional leadership roles and activities, lack of adequate support from stakeholders to principals and lack of instructional materials and qualified personnel were the major challenges of principals in practicing instructional leadership via a distributive approach. Finally, the researcher recommended that school principals, Haramaya District Education Office and East Hararghe Zone Education Desk should work collaboratively to formulate and communicate a school vision, to use technology for assisting learning and strengthen CPD programme based on need assessment. Moreover, school principals should work on the approach of distributive leadership on a team base to use the various knowledge, skill, expertise and experience of stakeholders. Teachers, students, parents, community, educational authorities at different levels, GO and NGOs should distribute instructional leadership roles and activities to support principals. Haramaya District Education Office and East Hararghe Zone Education Desk in collaboration with NGOs should prepare up-to-date training and strengthen school-community relationships.