Abstract:
This study looks at the leadership and management practice of school principals in secondary
school of south wollo administrative zone. The study pictures the practice and the difficulties
faced by school principals based on principals themselves, the perception of teachers, PTA 'S
and KETB 'S. In trying to understand the practice of school principals, this study uses both
functional (planning, organizing, staffing and controlling) and interpersonal (leadership)
aspects of management. The study uses survey as the methodology for investigating the
principal 's leadership and management practice. The sample school were selected from the zone
on the basis of simple random sampling method. The subject of the study was 168 secondary
school teachers, 26 PTA 's, 26 KETB 'sand 13 principals. Stratified and simple random sampling
techniques were used to select sample subjects. Open and close ended questionnaire and
document analysis were used to collect data. Most of the questionnaires items were contained a
five point likert scale. The information obtained was then analyzed by using percentage. The
data gathered from the different document of each school were used as a supportive data. The
finding of the study revealed that first most of the teachers were rated moderately and above
moderately in 16 out of 22 functional (managerial) practices. Second, most of the teachers were
rated below moderately in 7 out of 9 interpersonal (leadership) practices of management. On top
of that, the study has also found that PTA 'Sand KETB 'S rated above the average in all aspects
of leadership and management functions. Additionally, the study has also shown that principals
seen lack of adequate knowledge on the area of school leadership and management as primery
obstacle and lack of teachers willingness on their jobs as the second obstacles in performing
their duties successfully. Based on the findings the researcher concluded that school principals
in the study area was good in implementing the functional aspects of management rather than
the human aspect (leadership). This has negative implication in providing quality education.
