COMMUNITY PERCEPTION TOWARDS PRIVATE SCHOOLS OF JIGJIGA CITY ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was aimed at assessing the community perception towards the private schools in Jigjiga City Administration. The objective of this study was to assess the community perception towards overall performance, towards physical facilities, cost effectiveness and school culture Descriptive survey method was employed which include quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was carried out in ten 34.48 % private schools of Jigjiga city administration, this study included ten private school owners, ten directors, 225 Community/parent Members, city education counsel head, Woreda education head and regional education expert and total participants were 248. The data were collected through questionnaires, focused group discussion, document analysis, and observation. Questionnaires were administered to the community members, FGDs were conducted with directors and school owners, the interviews were conducted with education experts at different levels( regional , woreda and city administration) . The findings revealed that the perception of community towards the various practices of private schools in Jigjiga, the community perceived as first rank for the implementation of the curriculum is very high, also they perceived the quality of the teacher is second rank. Is indicates that the majority of the community or parents are happy with existing teaching staff. The community perceived the school culture and academic effectiveness as third and fourth rake. This shows the parent/ community are satisfying by the schools but school owner have headache on pass over student affect their student physiologically in school level particular and national level in general . But regarding perception of community in cost effectiveness and physical facilities of the private schools ranked least indicates that these two variables must be improved. Overall conclusion is these schools are doing very good but they have some weaknesses specially in facilitating the physical environment of the schools, thus it is recommended that the private school should work with stakeholders and draw strategies to enhance the overall effectiveness of the schools for which there should be regular intervention from parent committees and supervisors of the Jigjiga city administration.