Research Article

Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy

Volume: 10 Number: 3 September 28, 2025

Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy

Abstract

Engagement significantly contributes to student learning and academic success; it has preventive benefits against dropout and disruptive behavior. This study examines how principals' distributed leadership strategies affect student engagement with teacher self-efficacy as a mediator in the secondary schools of the state of Amhara, Ethiopia. Accordingly, a cross-sectional survey design was employed to achieve this objective. The quantitative data analysis involved 714 valid and completed data of teachers selected from a multistage random sample from five zones. Questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. Before the actual study, the measurement tools were validated through a pilot study, and statistical assumptions were conducted. To achieve specific objectives of the study, one sample t-test, Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling were employed. Low levels of distributed leadership practice, moderate student engagement, and high levels of teacher self-efficacy were all identified in the research. Additionally, the study found a strong positive correlation between student engagement,teacher self-efficacy and distributed leadership practice. The connection between distributed leadership and student engagement was also significantly partially mediated by teacher self-efficacy. Hence, the study concluded that principals’ distributed leadership significantly contributed to student engagement through teacher self-efficacy. The results suggest that when school leadership responsibilities are distributed more broadly, teachers’ sense of efficacy are enhanced, improving student engagement in the learning process. Thus, the study's findings have practical, theoretical, and policy implications.

Keywords

References

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  7. Asrat, D. (2017). The Practice and Challenges of Distributed Leadership at Some Selected Primary Schcools of Debark District: Ethiopia. British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science, 20(3), 1-10.
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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Supervision in Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 28, 2025

Submission Date

January 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 3

APA
Emiru, E. K., & Berhanu, K. Z. (2025). Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, 10(3), 672-721. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1618955
AMA
1.Emiru EK, Berhanu KZ. Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy. REAL. 2025;10(3):672-721. doi:10.30828/real.1618955
Chicago
Emiru, Eshetu Kibret, and Kelemu Zelalem Berhanu. 2025. “Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The Mediating Role of Teacher Self Efficacy”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10 (3): 672-721. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1618955.
EndNote
Emiru EK, Berhanu KZ (September 1, 2025) Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10 3 672–721.
IEEE
[1]E. K. Emiru and K. Z. Berhanu, “Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy”, REAL, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 672–721, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.30828/real.1618955.
ISNAD
Emiru, Eshetu Kibret - Berhanu, Kelemu Zelalem. “Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The Mediating Role of Teacher Self Efficacy”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership 10/3 (September 1, 2025): 672-721. https://doi.org/10.30828/real.1618955.
JAMA
1.Emiru EK, Berhanu KZ. Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy. REAL. 2025;10:672–721.
MLA
Emiru, Eshetu Kibret, and Kelemu Zelalem Berhanu. “Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The Mediating Role of Teacher Self Efficacy”. Research in Educational Administration and Leadership, vol. 10, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 672-21, doi:10.30828/real.1618955.
Vancouver
1.Eshetu Kibret Emiru, Kelemu Zelalem Berhanu. Distributed Leadership and Student Engagement in Ethiopia: The mediating role of Teacher Self Efficacy. REAL. 2025 Sep. 1;10(3):672-721. doi:10.30828/real.1618955


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