Factors Affecting Women's Participation on Primary School Principal ship: The Case of Gedeozone
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identifY factors that affect women:S participation in primary school
principals hip .and suggest remedial solution so as to reduce the magnitude of the problem. To achieve
these stated objectives, basic questions were asked. These questions are related to the extent of women's
participation in principalship positions; society 's perception towards warnell principals, the all going
selection and placement criteria used; problems and constraints that hinder women's participation in
principalship and possible solution to improve and enhance their participation. The research method
employed was descriptive survey and the sampling techniques were purposive and simple random
sampling. Questionnaire was distributed to 35 WEO experts, J 2 principals as well as 129 teachers in
primary schools of which a total of 173 usabl!!. questionnaires were returned. Interview and document
analysis were also conducted. The data obtained were analyzed using suitable statistical tools such as
percentage, mean, weighted mean, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and'muliiple regressions. Accordingly, the
study has revealed that society's negative perception concerning women's ability and competence to hold
the position of principalship was comparatively changed that women are perceived to be highly
competent in most skills. However, despite their competence, they are still non- prevalent and
underrepresented at administrative levels. It was further identified that the major causes that hinder
women's participation in primary school principalship were: fear of harmonizing professional and[amily
lives; society's perception regarding women's role and gender role socialization, lack of monilOring and
evaluation of the policy during implementation. Thus, to improve the situation, it is recommended that
some measures have to be taken. Among other things, women themselves have to change their outlook by
doing the following: believing in their potentials, pursuing higher education and developing a strong
women's net work and mentoring systems within the organization, understanding and .fighting in
horizontal violence and eliminating the notion of the "Queen Bee" syndrome. Organizations on the other
hand, should provide women with professional development and broaden educational opportunities for
career advancement, and have well-organized transparent selection criteria. Furthermore, government
organizations and non-governmental organizations should create massive gender-synthesizing training to
all school communities and society. Finally, for easy implementation of the women's policy, the
government needs to address these obstacles through advocacy and training, ensure clarity and
transparency of policy, instill effective monitoring and evaluation systems and communicate effectively
wah implementers at the grass root level .
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Keywords
Affecting Women's Participation