E-leadership approach and technology integration as predictors of quality of education at colleges of teacher education in Ethiopian

Effective technology integration through e-leadership is an essential for enhancing conducive learning environments and fostering digital citizenship in a globalized world. The purpose of this study is to assess how E-leadership and technology integration predict the quality of education within Colleges of Teacher Education (CTEs) in Ethiopia. It seeks to fill an existing theoretical gap by presenting a robust framework that explores this multifaceted relationship. Data were collected from 153 academic staff and 22 leaders across four colleges using a mixed-methods concurrent embedded design. Quantitative data were analyzed via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to test predictive relationships, while qualitative data from interviews were analyzed using Thematic Analysis to capture leadership behaviors. The analysis revealed that technology integration significantly predicts 88.2% of the variance in education quality. Crucially, this relationship is mediated by e-leadership, which serves as a vital bridge between physical infrastructure and pedagogical output. Qualitative findings underscore that while e-leaders demonstrate transformative dedication, they face persistent challenges including infrastructure inadequacy, limited staff readiness, and a scarcity of contextually relevant digital content. These barriers directly impede the effectiveness of educational activities. This study contributes to the theoretical landscape by validating a multifaceted model of digital transformation in developing contexts. Practically, it underscores the need for e-leaders to foster holistic environments that extend beyond equipment acquisition. The study recommends that CTEs prioritize e-competency training for leaders and establish localized digital content repositories. Future research should investigate longitudinal impacts and comparative studies across different educational levels to refine strategies for sustainable digital transformation in higher education.