A THESIS SUBMITTED TO ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF PEDAGOGICAL SCIENCES FOR PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT.

Abstract

The core aim of this research was investigating the practices and limitations of teaching staff management in primary and secondary schools of Gofa Zone. For this reason, descriptive survey research design, both quantitative and qualitative research method as well as primary and secondary data sources were employed. Both purposive and Simple random Sampling approach were used to identify the research subjects. Owing to this 127 academic staff members were taken as a sample size from selected primary and secondary schools in Gofa Zone. Instruments used for data collection involve structured questionnaire, semi-structured interview questions and document analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools whereas the quantitative and qualitative data in narration form. The study revealed that, in the studied schools teaching staff management principles and tools weren’t effectively and efficiently practiced by the school leaders due to, lack of leadership skill, knowledge, and commitment of the school leaders to create cooperative working culture, and low participation of concerned stakeholder. Furthermore absence of short term in-service training, shortage of budget and resources, absence of cooperation among school leaders, perception of leaders for headship position, limitation of specialization in leadership management and shortage of supporting staffs are among the factors. Upgrading and creating suitable working school environment, enhancing continuous professional development program for education chances, increasing the commitment of school leaders were recommended as solution to improve teaching staff management practices in the respective school. Finally, the researcher recommends other researchers to conduct further study regarding the problem under consideration