Leadership Practice and Its Contribution to Student Academic Performance in the Second Cycle Primary Schools of Garno Gofa Zone
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Date
2012-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the current leadership practice on thestudents' academic performance in the study area and then to suggest ways of alleviating theproblem. To this end, descriptive survey research design as well as both quantitative andqualitative research methods was employed. The study included 2 sample schools selected bymaximum variation sampling technique based on the highest and the lowest academicperformance. A total of 330 subjects composed of 14 school leaders, 66 teachers and 250students were included. The entire population of the subjects was included except for studentrespondents which were selected by simple random sampling technique. Questionnaires of 330copies were distributed among which 315 were collected; focus group discussion was conductedwith the school leaders; and relevant documents were reviewed to enrich the data obtainedthrough the questionnaires. The quantitative data were analyzed using independent samples testand multiple regressions through SPSS version 15. The qualitative responses were analyzedin narration. The findings indicated that leadership practice and learning environment had higheffect on academic performance. Moreover, the study indicated that more effective leadershippractice in Zada Primary School enhanced academic performance regardless of poor learningenvironment, whereas less effective leadership practice in Banda Primary School hinderedacademic performance regardless of more conducive learning environment. Thus, the researcherrecommends that the school leaders in the study area need to apply appropriate leadershipstyles, they need to improve leadership practice through providing short term and diploma leveltrainings, and through undertaking leadership development programs. Besides, alternativesolutions need to be sought through rigorous research
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Leadership Practice and its Contriblltion