Browsing by Author "Anwar Kemal"

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    Assessing School-Community Engagement and its Effect on Student Results in Government and Private Primary Schools: The Case of Yeka Sub-City, Addis Ababa.
    (Addis Ababa University, 2022-06-01) Anwar Kemal; Zenebe Baraki (Ph.D)
    This study assessed school-community engagement (SCE) practices and examined their effect on student academic results (SAR) in government and private primary schools within Yeka Sub-City, Addis Ababa. Recognizing the policy emphasis on SCE and anecdotal reports of low engagement, the study aimed to provide comparative empirical data on the status of SCE and its relationship with SAR in this urban context. A mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design was employed. Data were collected from 48 primary schools (24 government, 24 private) through questionnaires administered to 264 stakeholders (PSTA members, principals, WEO professionals) based on Epstein's six types of involvement framework, semi-structured interviews with 12 WEO Heads, and analysis of documents including SAR data (Grade 8 exams, inspection reports, promotion/repetition rates). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, chi-square, and regression, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Findings revealed significant disparities: government schools exhibited lower SAR and markedly weaker SCE across all Epstein dimensions compared to private schools, particularly in 'Learning at Home' and 'Collaborating with Community'. Private schools demonstrated stronger engagement, especially in 'Learning at Home' and 'Communicating'. A strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship was found between SCE levels and SAR (Adjusted R² = .750, p < .001), indicating SCE is a major predictor of results in this context. Key challenges hindering engagement, especially in government schools, included low parental awareness and socioeconomic constraints, inadequate school leadership capacity (lack of EDPM training), negative teacher attitudes, and systemic weaknesses in training and support. The study concludes that SCE significantly impacts SAR, and the disparity in engagement contributes to the results gap between school types. Recommendations focus on strengthening leadership capacity (EDPM qualifications, training), improving communication strategies, enhancing PSTA functioning, providing targeted parental support programs, especially in government schools, and promoting systemic support for SCE through policy and resources. Key words: School-Community Engagement, Student Results or Student Academic Results
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    Revitalization of Jugal Through Public Open Space, Harar Msc Thesis in Environmental Planning and Landscape Design
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2013-09) Anwar Kemal ; Giorgis Giorgis
    The ancient city of Jugal is the only one of its kind Ethiopia has contributed to the world among other eight heritages. However, lack of public open spaces and traffic congestion in addition to dilapidated structures, huge population pressure and inadequate environmental services are damaging its image. To curb these problems Harari Regional State Government has launched revitalization program focusing on three strategies – infrastructure development, housing development, and heritage conservation- starting from 2008. But, public open space has gained no significant attention in this program. Thus, the general objective of this research is to forward options for strengthening this program through incorporation of public open space enhancement which is vital for the city‘s livability. As a result, "Andegna Mednged” and "Chelenqo" square were primarily chosen to work on due to the central role these places have in the life of residents of Jugal. With this regard, the thesis tried to address questions such as: how does this spaces operate and what kind of facilities the area provide for its users in order to enable various activities? What is the perception of the public with regard to the spaces? And finally, what kind of environmental planning and landscape design solutions can be provided to enhance the image of Jugal and its livability with focus on the above spaces. The methodology followed for fulfilling this study was case study method. The selection of the case areas were in consideration of its inclusiveness, reachability to wider community, and having larger impact on Jugal during practicing proposed solutions. And, these aforementioned places were treated as a single case area due to its strong relation and link. Then, the area was investigated for its service to the three kinds of outdoor activities: Optional, Necessary and Social activities comparison to measure points listed for its success such as: Comfort and Image; Use and Activity; Access and Linkage and finally Sociability. In due process, the study tried to point out the major reasons for malfunctioning of these spaces - in terms of its operation and facilities it provide; users current and future demand from it; level of satisfaction among users and others - using various primary and secondary data collection methods such as interview, questionnaire, field excursion and structural plan and various related documents . The major findings of the research were the study area serves three types of outdoor activities though these spaces do not have proper facilities to host these activities. Beside lack of facilities, the conditions of the spaces are worsened by high traffic congestion resulting from lack of: environmental quality; transportation planning and management. As a result, almost all users of the space do not have positive attachment to the place in relation to direct experience. Therefore, they recommended enhancement of the place with regard to types of activities it serve and its environmental quality. Hence, the study proposed environmental planning and landscape design solutions for the public open space in order to enhance livability of Jugal through alleviation of major problems and findings that tackle the proper functioning of the case areas. The major planning and design solutions forwarded are planning to pedestrinize the study area together with designing it to meet the current and future generations demand