Abstract:
The major objective of this Study was to investigate the challenges of attending secondary
school education in Shebelle zone of Somali regional state. To achieve this study, the
descriptive survey research design was used. Secondary schools (three in number) of the
zone were selected using simple random sampling technique. Questionnaires were
distributed for teachers and students where as structured interviews were forwarded to
principals, PTA,’ supervisors,’ Bureau of education office heads and community clan heads
were used as data collection instruments. Focus group discussion was conducted with
students’ council in order to collect additional data. The sample included 175 students, 70
teachers, 6 principals, 3 community clan heads, 8 students’ council, 3 supervisors, 3 Bureau
of education office heads and 10 PTA with the total of (278) participants. The data was
collected through questionnaires, interview and focus group discussion. Qualitative and
quantitative methods of data analysis were employed to analysis the data. The data collected
through interviews and focus group discussions from selected areas were analyzed
qualitatively and frequencies, percentage, mean and t-test were used for quantitative data.
The major findings revealed that distance from home to school, drought, poverty, parents
background of education, economic problems, parents lack of awareness regarding
education, low participations in school management, peer pressure, shortage of secondary
schools in the study area are the major challenges of attending secondary school education.
These resulted backwardness, drug addiction, abusing, migration and the decline of
communities economy. The involvement of parents was very stumpy since the majority of the
pastoralist communities are illiterate. Thus, it is recommended that bureau of education
office heads, supervisors, community clan heads, parent teacher associations, principals, teachers, students’ council, government and non- governmental institutions should be
involved and contributed in awareness creation, monitoring and follow up the progress of
students attendance, motivation and schedule arrangements for the pastoralist societies in
order to address problems which challenge the students’ attendance in secondary school
education. Moreover, the school managements should work collaboratively with
communities, governments and NGOs’ in order to look up funds to support the children
especially in poor societies.
