Exploring school culture and climate: The case of Dilla university community school

Abstract

This study was undertaken to explore the culture and climate of Dilla University Community School, focusing on examining the school's shared values and beliefs across seven key dimensions that constitute its shared values and beliefs: attention to detail, innovation and risk-taking, people orientation, team orientation, outcome orientation, aggressiveness, and stability within its cultural framework. The participants in this study were teachers selected using the purposive sampling technique. The research employed an exploratory qualitative case study. The interview was the major data gathering instrument from key informants and the results were analyzed using thematic analysis, aided by NVivo 10 software designed for qualitative research, which facilitated the classification, sorting, arrangement, and analysis of the data. According to the results, the school culture placed a high value on attention to detail, outcome orientation, people orientation, and aggressiveness. Conversely, areas needing improvement were identified as innovation and risk taking, team orientation, and stability. Hence, it was recommended that Dilla University Community School should work on establishing systems that encourage all crucial dimensions of key values and beliefs, fostering positive interaction among members for the progress of the school.

Keywords

• Community school
• School culture
• School climate