Practice And Challenges Of School Improvement Program Implementation In Government Primary Schools Of Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practices and challenges of school improvement program implementation and to recommend alternative solutions for its improvement. The study was conducted in Guji Zone government Primary schools. Out of 32 government schools, 10 (31.3 %) schools were taken as a sample using simple random sampling technique. From the sample schools educational leader, teacher, council of students, Cluster Resource center supervisors and PTA heads were taken as participants since they had direct relationship with School Improvement Program implementation. The collected data were analyzed using statically tools of percentage, mean and one-way ANOVA. The result of the study indicates that among the four domain of SIP; safe and enabling environment and parent/community participation are found to be at aspiration level, On the other hand, the teaching-learning and leadership and management exercise are at starting level. In general, The teaching-learning activities in the sample schools is below the expected standard; the current status of parent‟s participation in the school activities is low; the current status of leadership practices in the schools was found to be low. Moreover, lack of experience sharing, misunderstanding about the program, lack of incentives and lack of commitment and appropriate supervision are among the serious problems in implementing SIP. Awareness raising, conference and meeting with the local community to enhance their participation in school activities, organizing and motivating students to work in group to improve the internal environment, discussion and meeting with donors and/or organizations to draw external support, provision of incentives for those who implement the program successfully, and continuous monitoring and supervision by woreda education office and school management are some of the recommendations forwarded as alternative solutions to the problems..