Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of school principals’ instructional leadership in Selected Government Primary schools of Addis Ketema Sub-city,Addis Ababa City Administration. To achieve this purpose, a descriptive survey research design was employed. The study was conducted in a randomly selected three selected primary government schools from 15 public primary schools using purposive sampling technique. 125 teachers were selected as respondents by using simple random sampling, 3 principals and 9 vice principals were selected by using purposive sampling. Views of the respondents were surveyed through questionnaires. The data from the questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistical tools such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. In addition, the data gathered through open ended questionnaire were quoted and narrated in words. The finding of this study revealed that most of respondents agreed that the practices of principals’ instructional leadership were moderate. Furthermore almost half of (54.5%) principals as instructional leaders were subject specialists, lacks skill and training, and lacks commitment and moral to accomplish their tasks and severe shortage of finance. Based on the findings, it was concluded that: schools were to some extent incapable of enhancing teachers’ professional skill development and improving the quality of education. The stated vision and defined mission in the school did not command the ownership of its potential stakeholders since it was not supported by its potential stakeholders. Principals as Instructional leaders did not possess the required skill, knowledge and attitude through training. In line with the above findings and conclusions it was recommended that: to equip instructional leaderships with necessary knowledge, attitude and skills in Addis Ketema Sub City of Addis Ababa City Administration. Therefore Administrative Education Officials may arrange workshops, seminars, short and long term training in collaboration with different universities, colleges and NGO’s and schools need to think of their own income generating sources on top of government budget through improving their relationship with local NGO’s and school communities by preparing project proposal and submit to international donor.
