Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the Organizational Design of WESSO–Education
Panel in Afar Region. Hence, it examined the core activities (responsibilities) of WESSO,
the Organization Structure (division of work, departmentalization, organizational
hierarchy and coordination of WESSO), Performance level, Human Resource systems
(number, experience and qualification of WESSOs Staff, recruitment and selection,
training and development) and organizational design problems of WESSOs in the region.
To this end, descriptive survey method was employed.
Out of 5 zonal Education Departments in Afar Regional state, 3 zones were selected for
the study using simple random sampling technique. Then, using Stratified Sampling
Technique, 9 WESSO Educational Panels and 27 Schools were selected out of 29
Woredas and 137 Schools.
Information was obtained through questionnaire, interview and documentation. Three
kinds of questionnaire were distributed to 48 Principals and Vice-principals, 26 WESSOs
Educational panels staff members and 27 Zonal Education management members and
experts using available sampling technique. Out of these, 45 Principals and Viceprincipals,
24 Educational Panels Staff members, 27 Zonal Educational Departments
management members and experts were filled in and returned. In addition, 3 Zonal
Education Department heads of the sample zones were interviewed, and documents related
to the study were examined. Pilot test was made and then some unnecessary statements
were modified. Various statistical tools such as Percentages, Weighted Means, Chi-square,
t-test and one way ANOVA were used for data analysis.
The findings of the study revealed that some of the responsibilities of WESSO were not
clearly pronounced; the designed organizational hierarchy of WESSO, the accountability
of WESSO to Zonal Pastoral and Agro-pastoral development, Health, Education, and
Water Resource found problematic; the performances of WESSOs in managing the
educational activities were found to be low; the human resource systems for WESSOEducation
Panels were not aligned with the jobs requirements, i.e., the education panels
were understaffed and their staff were under qualified; various methods of recruitment
were not used to attract required candidates; and the selection criteria were emphasized on
national /nationality and services; some organizational Design Problems such as poor
decisions, slow decision making, too much conflict among employed were recurred.
In general, the existing set-up of Education panel in WESSO was not appropriate to
implement education sector strategy. Hence, it was recommended to make responsible the
Education unit in Woredas, to strengthen the Human Capacity, and to establish the woreda
Education office together with Health but separate from the other two