Abstract:
It is obvious that proper utilization of educational materials resources plays a significant role in improving the environment for effective teaching-learning process. Thus, this study was conducted with the main objective of assessing Utilization and Challenges of Educational Material Resources in Secondary Schools of West Hararghe Zone. To meet the stated objective descriptive survey design was employed. To this end, the study used both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were collected via questionnaires, interview and field observation. Whereas, secondary data were obtained from various published and unpublished materials. Thus; as come to population and simple size, from the total of 25 (9-12) secondary schools 7 were selected randomly through lottery methods and 40 non-teaching staff members were selected through availability sampling technique. The sample of teaching staffs was proportionally allocated to each school and the total 202 of them were selected systematically. Also, 3 interviewed informants were involved. The subjects of the study were selected due to their direct relation with the issue under investigation. Thus, the collected data were organized, presented and discussed quantitatively and qualitatively. Moreover, Independent sample t-test was used to determine the significance difference between mean score of teaching and non teaching groups of respondents. The major findings of the study revealed that, the utilization educational materials were practiced poorly. Similarly, the educational material resources management systems such as: need assessment, planning, purchasing, and maintenance, controlling and disposing points of view in secondary schools needs special attention as the practices of explicit tasks were not properly implemented. The participation of staff members through the process of educational material resources management were also identified as weak. In line with challenges, the majority of educational materials were misused and damaged by students and it was seen as the main barriers to effective utilization practices. Besides, commitment of the school communities, lack of accountability, lack of responsibility and lack of continuous follow up were stated as the major drawbacks while managing the utilization of educational materials. Therefore; from these point of view, it was concluded that the educational material resources in secondary schools were utilized improperly which need special attention. Hence, to alleviate such obstacles it was recommended that school leaders and education officials should be engaged on continuous awareness creation program and also strengthen continuous follow up to ensure accountability and responsibility among the school communities
