Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to assess challenges and opportunities of women’s leadership in secondary
schools of Toke Kutaye woreda, West Shewa Zone. A set of questionnaire was prepared, pilot tested
and administered to a sample of 160(8 principals and 152 teachers)respondents. In addition to the
aforementioned sample population, four woreda education office experts and one supervisor were
selected purposively for interview. Besides, focus group discussions were held with 24 women teachers
of the selected secondary schools.. The collected data were summarized and analyzed using descriptive
statistics like percentage, frequency, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics like t-test with
the help of SPSS 24. The finding of the study revealed that perception of women towards leadership was
not on good status. Most of the women teachers have negative perception towards leadership of
secondary schools. For instance, the women underestimate their abilities, they perceive themselves as
less skillful and passive in leadership, and the women consider themselves as they have low level of
acceptance than men. The study also confirmed that challenges of women’s leadership were
misperception of teachers and other stakeholders, lack self-confidence, lack of aspiration or motivation
to be represented in secondary school principal ship, the patriarchal societies, the women lack
counseling, encouragement, and support from partners and women over burden of domestic
responsibility. The finding of the study indicated that there were opportunities that would have
encouraged women to become principals for secondary schools. Women principals have the chance to
upgrade their educational level, pre job and on-job trainings, availability of mentors and affirmative
actions. However, these opportunities were not used and implemented effectively. The study concludes
that the participation of women leadership in secondary school found to be low. Therefore, it is
recommended that giving awareness, provide training and enhancing affirmative action plays a crucial
role in improving the challenges and opportunities of women’s leadership.
