ASSESSING THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF NORTHERN SIDAMA ZON

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the decision making process and its influence on school effectiveness at secondary schools of northern sidama zone. To conduct this research mixed method was employed. In this study descriptive survey research design was employed to assess the decision making process and its influence on school effectiveness at Northern Sidana zone. The data were collected from five selected government secondary schools. From the total number of teachers 399, 199 (49.87) were selected using simple random sampling method and 14 /100%/ of school principals were selected through comprehensive sampling method, while 35 PTAs 4 supervisors were selected by comprehensive sampling techniques. Therefore, the total sample size of the study was 252. To collect data from the respondents questionnaires, semi-structured interview and focus group discussion (FGD) was employed. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the teachers and interview was held with the school principals. Furthermore, FGD was done with PTAs and supervisors of the schools. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis approach. The result of the study showed that, the decision making process in secondary school of northern sidama zone is founded less effective to implement the activities of schools. Processes of decision making were individualistic and there was less delegation of power and authority to the subordinates or stakeholders. The study also indicated that PTAs have less involvement to decision making process in the school. There were several factors that made decision making process ineffective. Some of factors that influencing decision making process includes:- lack of transparency and fairness, problems of data provision and dissemination of information timely to concerned bodies, lack of effective communication skills of the school leaders, Weak linkage and collaboration between schools and community members as well as lack of awareness of PTAs on decision making process in the school were the major challenges that negatively affects decision making process in the school. To alleviate the above mentioned problems it is recommended that school leaders need to be focus on maintaining transparency and fairness in school activities to their subordinates, it would be wise if Woreda Education offices and school create awareness for PTAs and school communities on how they can play their roles in decision making process, Woreda Education offices and Zone Education Department are should provide information and data timely to concerned bodies in general and for school leaders particularly and the school leaders ought to make the school environment supportive and that motivate and encourage involvement of stakeholders in decision making process in the school. It was founded that school leaders were lack of skillsAA of decision making in the school, it is also recommended that, WEO should give training for the school leaders that can empower them to make effective decision in the school