Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the current status of instructional leadership practices of
principals, identifying the dimension of instructional leadership principals give more priority in the
management and leadership of schools and identifying the factors that affect instructional leadership. A
descriptive survey design was employed in this study. All 5 (100%) full cycle primary and 2 (100%)
secondary schools in Mekanselam City Admistration were included in the study by using comprehensive
sampling technique. All schools Principals, 7(100%), Vice Principals 7(100%) and 4(100%) Supervisors
were included in the study through comprehensive sampling technique. In addition to this, 1 (33.33%)
woreda education expert was included in the study by using simple random (lottery) sampling technique.
From the total of 346 (100%) teachers in Mekanselam City Admistration 106 (30.63%) of them were
selected through stratified random sampling technique. After the size of sample teachers from each school
was known, the selection of individual teacher sample was conducted by using simple random sampling
(lottery) techniques. Questionnaire, focused group discussion and semi structured interview were the
instruments used for data collection. The data collected through the questionnaire were analyzed by using
percentage, descriptive statics (mean and standard deviation) and t-test statistical analyses procedures.
The data collected from open ended questioners, interview and focused group discussion were analyzed
by using narrative description to complement the quantitative data. The result of the study indicated that,
the instructional leadership practices of principals in government schools of Mekaneselam City
Admistration were moderate with the overall mean scores of 3.179(63.58%).But principals were not
provides equal attentions to the three dimension of instructional leader ship. Accordingly, they were
provides much attentions for promoting a positive school climate with the mean value of 3.428(70.68%),
while in defining the school’s mission and managing the instructional program principals were provides
little attentions with the mean values of 3.115(62.3%) and 2.996(59.73%) respectively. There is no
statistically significant mean difference between primary and secondary school principal’s interims of the
overall instructional leadership practices. Mekane Selam Aity administration education office should give
orientation about principal ship and the role expected from school principals; besides, selection and
assignment of principals should be by qualification, experience, interest and must based on their current
performance. To be an effective leader, principals should focus on sharing, facilitating, and guiding
decisions about instructional improvement for the enhancement of student’s academic achievement
