Principals’ Perception of Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership Program as Opportunity Promoting Educational Leadership Improvement in Madda Walabu University (Ethiopia): A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract

As in General Education Quality Improvement Package (GEQIP) document set by Ministry of Education in Ethiopia, professional leader is the main factor contributing to educational quality improvement. One mechanism put in place by the Ministry of Education to improve leadership skills of principals in Ethiopia is introducing a postgraduate diploma in school leaderships program. To this effect, qualitative research approach and case study design were used for the study. The data for this study were gathered in semi-structured interview and focus group discussion. The participants for this study were selected by purposive sampling technique and total population of sixteen (16) participant were participate in this study out of these, 13 were male participants and 3 of them were female. The gathered data were analyzed using case study design. Major themes and sub-themes are described by inductive process based on grounded theory method. The finding of this study revealed that principals of postgraduate diploma in school leaders have positive perception towards the program because it improves principals professional knowledge and quality education. However, the study participants throughout in the interview and focus group discussion session noticed that PGDSL training lacks follow up and support from the side of the university and accreditation given by education office. Inviting scholars to review the training modules, and reconsidering the relevance of the program were recommended.