Abstract:
This research was conducted to identify leadership styles practiced in primary schools in Meta Robi woreda . It was a survey study which was delimited to the leadership styles of school leaders with respect to the practice of autocratic, democratic and laissez faire leadership styles. The target population of this study consisted of 13 school principals and 144 teachers. To conduct this study both qualitative and quantitative data were used. Quantitative data were collected using close ended questionnaire whereas the qualitative data were collected using interview with principals, to supplement the quantitative data. Quantitative data were collected on the personal characteristics of respondents; school leaders’ and the teachers’ perceptions towards the practiced leadership styles .The quantitative data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation by using SPSS version 20.00. The data collected through interview were analyzed using narration. The analysis of data indicated that the democratic leadership style was the most commonly used leadership style among leaders of primary schools in Meta Robi woreda. The present research findings suggested that every effort must be made by school leaders to adapt their leadership styles to promote school environments that would engender greater levels of student achievement. The study concluded with recommendations addressed to school leaders, teachers, stakeholders and educational experts interested in further understanding of leadership styles in educational contexts of their schools. Such styles have clear implications on how school affairs are internally managed
