Factors Affecting Women Participation in Leadership Positions: The Case of Selected Public Secondary Schools in Adama City Administration

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect women's participation in school leadership position in public secondary schools of Adama City Administration. Accordingly, the study specifically assessed the proportion of women at leadership positions; the extent of women's aspiration to participate in school leadership position; the strategies in place to promote women participation on leadership position; and to identify major factors that affect women's participation on leadership position in public secondary schools of Adama City Administration. The study employed mixed research approach-qualitative and quantitative. The data gathering instruments employed includes questionnaire, interview, and document review. The questionnaire was administered to 190 male and 119 female respondents; and the response rate was 92.63% for males and 93.28% for females. Furthermore, key informants interview was held with three Officials (Head of Adama City Education Office; women's focal person of Education Office of the City; and Head of Adama City Women and Children Affairs Office) were also used in the analysis and interpretation of the data. Furthermore, school statistical data were collected from schools regarding the proportion of women at leadership positions in public secondary schools of the City. The results of the study reveal that the participation of women in school leadership position was found at lower level during the past eight years, since 2010. The study finds that on average only 21.28% of women held leadership position in the studied public schools. With regards to the aspiration of women towards school leadership positions, the study finds that the aspiration of women for leadership is at moderate level. The finding also indicated that school authorities put little effort to place women in school leadership positions. Regarding the factors that may affect the participation of women in leadership position, the study identified social and organizational issues to be more important than personal factors. The study recommends that there is a need to introduce quota system in assigning school leadership positions to ensure women are sufficiently represented; giving more chance for women to improve their educational status and leadership skills through long-term and short-term trainings; giving recognition and motivational rewards for those women who are performing their work at the best success; conducting careful monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of policies and strategies in place in relation to women’s participation on school leadership positions by government and all other stakeholders; arranging awareness programs on the importance of women’s participation in school leadership aThe main purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect women's participation in school leadership position in public secondary schools of Adama City Administration. Accordingly, the study specifically assessed the proportion of women at leadership positions; the extent of women's aspiration to participate in school leadership position; the strategies in place to promote women participation on leadership position; and to identify major factors that affect women's participation on leadership position in public secondary schools of Adama City Administration. The study employed mixed research approach-qualitative and quantitative. The data gathering instruments employed includes questionnaire, interview, and document review. The questionnaire was administered to 190 male and 119 female respondents; and the response rate was 92.63% for males and 93.28% for females. Furthermore, key informants interview was held with three Officials (Head of Adama City Education Office; women's focal person of Education Office of the City; and Head of Adama City Women and Children Affairs Office) were also used in the analysis and interpretation of the data. Furthermore, school statistical data were collected from schools regarding the proportion of women at leadership positions in public secondary schools of the City. The results of the study reveal that the participation of women in school leadership position was found at lower level during the past eight years, since 2010. The study finds that on average only 21.28% of women held leadership position in the studied public schools. With regards to the aspiration of women towards school leadership positions, the study finds that the aspiration of women for leadership is at moderate level. The finding also indicated that school authorities put little effort to place women in school leadership positions. Regarding the factors that may affect the participation of women in leadership position, the study identified social and organizational issues to be more important than personal factors. The study recommends that there is a need to introduce quota system in assigning school leadership positions to ensure women are sufficiently represented; giving more chance for women to improve their educational status and leadership skills through long-term and short-term trainings; giving recognition and motivational rewards for those women who are performing their work at the best success; conducting careful monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of policies and strategies in place in relation to women’s participation on school leadership positions by government and all other stakeholders; arranging awareness programs on the importance of women’s participation in school leadership activities particularly on top-level management of the school, work to gender sensitize the school community and promote gender sensitive organizational culture . xi