PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF EAST BADEWACHO WOREDA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the current practice and challenges of Educational Management Information System in some selected secondary schools of East Badewacho Woreda in Hadiya zone. Descriptive survey design was employed to conduct the study. The data were organized through quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as percentages; frequency distribution, mean, overall mean and standard deviation, by using version 20 (SPSS) for data analysis. The major tools used for data collection were questionnaires; interview and document review. The study was carried out in 5 secondary schools of East Badewacho Woreda, Hadiya Zone that were selected by simple random sampling technique especially by lottery method. The data/ information used in the data analysis was from 189(94.5%) teachers, 46(92%) department heads, 15(100%) school leaders(principals, vice principals and supervisors), 2(100%) Woreda education heads and 2 (100%)Educational Management Information System Experts, in East Badewacho Woreda Education office. Overall, out of 269 intended respondents 254(94.42%) of them participated in the study. The result of the study revealed that, no system of the collection, storing, process, analyzing, evaluating, and disseminating of information for the users, no availability of computers and printers for the purpose of EMIS, there is no Data backup flash disk for the purpose of EMIS, no EMIS strategic plan, no Meeting program about EMIS, no Internet access, lack Computers maintenance program, which shows the current status of EMIS practice. Absence of trained human power and clear information, Lack of accurate and timely educational information for decision makers, Poor coordination of the experts with teachers in school and Woreda level, Absence of commitment from EMIS experts, Lack of readiness to learn from the others in the schools were very serious challenges for the practice of EMIS, designing clearly stated information policy, providing relevant trainings regularly, assigning qualified human power, Creating the data base, developing the experience sharing program with other secondary schools, fulfilling the computers for EMIS, were very strongly recommended as possible strategy to enhance the future performance of EMIS level of implementation in the secondary school East Badewacho Woreda.