fCOMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN MATERIAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF SOUTH-WEST SHOWA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess Community Participation in Material Resource Management in Secondary Schools of South-West Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State. To accomplish this purpose, the study employed a descriptive survey design, which is supplemented by mixed model approach. Out of twenty-eight government general secondary schools in South-West Showa zone, eight secondary schools were sampled using simple random sampling technique. The subjects of the study were 30.7% (n=121) of teachers, 100% (n=8) Parent-Teacher-Association heads, 100% (n=8) of principals, 100% (n=13) of vice principals, 100% (n=8) supervisors and 100% (n=8) woreda education office-heads from sampled secondary schools. The respondents’ selection was carried out using simple random, purposive and available sampling techniques. Simple random sampling technique was used for teachers; purposive sampling technique was used for PTA chair persons, while, available sampling techniques were used for principals, vice-principals, supervisors and woreda education office- heads in each of the sampled secondary schools. The instruments used to collect data were questionnaire, interview. The information obtained from questionnaire was then analyzed by means of statistical tools including frequency, Percentage, mean value and chi-square. The study revealed that community participation in school material resource management was weak in that PTA members haven’t participated in the planning, organizing, coordinating, controlling and reporting of school material resources; and also the current status of school leaders in initiating community participation is not in a good direction; there were barriers such as teachers and school leaders unwillingness to welcome PTA members to school and in turn unwillingness of PTA members to come to school. All these are due to PTA members’ lack of awareness, enthusiasm, commitment and basic skills, teachers and school leaders professional territory, school leaders’ lack of initiation to enhance community participation to work in collaboration from planning to reporting; lack of good communication between the school and PTA members; lack of capacity building training for all teachers, principals and PTA members. So, the study recommended that the school leaders, WEO heads, WETB, ZEO, REB and other educational stakeholders should be aware of the fact that community participation in material resource management in this zone is generally weak and capacity building training should be given to all teachers, school leaders and PTA members to educate them about their role and responsibility in the management.