AN ASSESSEMENT OF CURRENT COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PRACTICES TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF EDUCATION: THE CASE OF MORETNA JIRU WOREDA GOVERNMENT SECONDCYCLE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to “An Assessment on current Practice of Community Participation to Improve Quality Education a Case of Moretna jiru Woreda seven second cycle Primary schools was being implemented with observable factors like inadequate participation of stakeholders, lack of experience and skills among school principals, low coordination of school community that might have hindered the community participation from achieving objectives in second cycle Primary schools in the Woreda and the successful implementation was labeled as pivotal concern for overall students’ achievement , no conclusive study has been conducted concerning it in this woreda.To identify the major factors that affect Proper community participation and finding solution to ensure the success to improve quality education. In order to achieve this purpose, mixed design -both quantitative and qualitative approach was employed as research method in the study. The study was conducted in seven primary second cycle schools from a total of 20 primary second cycle schools in sampled “woredas‟ administrations. All the seven schools were selected by simple random sampling technique. Whereas the seven School principals, 56 Parent Teacher &Student Association ,35 Kebele Education & Training Board members&84 teachers were selected by comprehensive sampling technique ,but the two woreda education office heads, were selected by purposive sampling techniques. To gather data, questionnaires, interviews, and document reviews were employed. After the data were gathered, analysis was made by organizing in tables and computing using frequencies, percentage,& mean value. The findings of study indicated that the extent of teachers’, community representatives and Woreda education heads participation in identifying need assessment, planning, decision making, role played by principals, community related factors and implementing teaching learning process was low &very low. The mechanism through which monitoring and evaluation practiced to improve quality education was also not in position to effectively run community participation. Furthermore the level of participation of community members to offer necessary support of school in kind, money,& labor was low. The schools were not provided community service clear communication channels to attract the community was also at low-level. On the contrary, most of activities across approving school budget were at very high level.Shortage of budget, insufficient school facilities, inability of school improvement committee to properly play their role, inadequate planning, and low involvement of stake holders in the improvement of quality education and inadequate monitoring and evaluation were major factors that negatively affect implementation of quality education. To alleviate the problems and to improve quality of education it was suggested that Woreda Education Office heads should allocate adequate budget, providing training, give proper orientations for both the community representatives& principals ,establishing school near to the communities in addition to this the schools should design income generating mechanism, fulfill school facilities, making active participation of stakeholders on need assessment,& planning, in addition to this, principals should make the school \ conducive for participation and, making school committee functional, providing community service like participating in adult education program .further more .Further more develop good school-community relation, encourage Parent Teacher &Student Association and Kebele Education Training Board members organizing, experience sharing programs; provide rewards for those who have better performance and replace by new members those who are passive participants for the process improving quality education& giving incentives for those community representative.