PRINCIPALS' INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE

<strong>ABSTRACT:</strong> The purpose of this study was to investigate the principals’ instructional leadership effectiveness in secondary schools of Sidama Regional State. To serve this purpose descriptive survey research design was employed. For the study, 7 Woredas and 1 town administration and 12 secondary schools were selected using simple random technique. From these sample schools, 12 supervisors, and 30 principals were selected by availability sampling, while 170 teachers were selected by using simple random sampling techniques and 8 woreda education office experts and regional education bureau were included through purposive sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics while content analysis approach was used to analyze qualitative data. Studies revealed that principal role to develop a set of annual school-wide goals were unsatisfactory. School leaders insufficiently practice of communication among stakeholders, supporting professional development of teachers and developing best practice of the school to improve teaching learning process. The practices of provide timely feedback to teachers after visiting classes and supporting to improve school performance were low. Lack of confidence to exercise leadership, lack of commitment and shortage of adequate guidance and support from official were factors that hinder secondary school principals from applying effective instructional leadership in teaching learning process. Therefore, study it can be concluded that instructional leadership were not improving teaching learning process, thus, this may have negative impact on school performance. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the instructional leaders shall involve teachers, students and stakeholders in communication and decision-making process.