The role of transformational leadership in enhancing the quality of school reform and transformation in Ethiopia

Abstract

The aim of the current research was to analyse existing trends in school leadership and to explore how transformational leadership could be the root for aligning the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) with school change and transformation. Accordingly, the study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was to identify the type of leadership style currently practised by school leaders (principals). The second phase was to implement transformational leadership in the educational leadership system of the country. In this research project, the researcher used the mixed-method approach. The data collection methods used were a structured questionnaire and unstructured interviews. Data were analysed using the Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS) and the computer data analysis system for the ATLAS-TI software. The general findings of this study are the following: currently the transactional leadership style is more common among school principals in Ethiopia. Many respondents explained that the focus of their principals was on routine work and much of the training content provided by Region Education Bureau (REB) was not related to the actual problems of schools, which made them reluctant to work towards the development of their school. The other major finding was that school leaders had no motivation to develop and maintain the teachers’ commitment for effective teaching and school reform. Teachers perceived their principals as passive and inactive in their efforts to adjust themselves to reform and transformation in their schools. From the analysis of interview data, it was found that the education plan, the GTP and leadership guidelines were not synchronised; students, teachers, and school leaders were not visionary people who could effectively facilitate the school reform and transformation. The interview results showed that the current school leadership system is not transformational. Respondents confirmed that though in some schools, leaders reflected some characteristics of transformational leadership, in most cases, the prevailing practices in school systems reflected transactional leadership behaviour. Generally, the results of analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data showed that in the Harari region (Ethiopia) currently the most practised leadership style at school level is the transactional leadership one. After intervention, at the school level, the transformational leadership style (TrLS) began to be implemented by principals as opposed to the transactional leadership style. Therefore, adequate training on the model of transformational leadership should be given to school principals and community. In addition, continuous follow-up and updating the awareness of school leaders is essential for effectiveness and quality of the school system. The Ministry of Education (MOE) should incorporate transformational leadership behaviour in the national training programme for leadership in conjunction with the GTP for the incumbent school leaders.