An Assessment of NGO-Assisted Alternative Basic Education Projects in North Wollo Zone

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Date

2007-01

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

North Wollo zone, one of the zones in Amhara Region, is ecologically degraded, climatically unstable and food insecure area. Moreover, it an area where harmful traditional practices are dominantly exercised. On top of that, it an area where educational disparity was the highest and enrolment rate in primary education was the lowest. To alleviate these interrelated problems, NGOs are currently implementing ABE projects as an alternate way to the formal education system. Whether this alternate route provides promise in this aspect or not becomes a timely issue that requires assessing their performance. Thus, this study tried to objectively assess NGO-assisted alternative basic education projects in North Wollo zone having specific objectives of identifying factors that constrain the implementation of ABE, indicating contribution of NGOs in ensuring coverage, quality and equity, scanning the sustainability of the projects in addressing the parity of ABE and FE. To address its specific objectives, basic questions, regarding factors that constrain the delivery of ABE, access, equity, quality, transformation of projects after the phase out period, network and partnership among ABE stakeholders, and parity and nexus between ABE and FE, were formulated. Descriptive survey method was employed to address the issues. To gather the relevant information regarding the basic questions, both primary and secondary resources were involved using Quota, availability and stratified random sampling. The data collecting process was a mixed approach type where questionnaire, interview, observation checklist and discussion were used. Out of the total of 86 questionnaires distributed, 79 were filled and returned. The data gathered through questionnaire were exposed to statistical analysis using frequency distribution, t -test, Chi-square and Spearman rank order correlation. After analyzing and interpreting both qualitative and quantitative data, the following findings were obtained. A number of factors that constrain delivery of ABE were identified (caring for animals, caring for siblings, collecting firewood and fetching water, etc.). Achieving some of the goals of EFA seems to fail owing to low level of quality and high disparity. ABE has got official recognition and parity of esteem; the partnership among stakeholders seems promising and a preparatory action was being taken by the project owners and implementers in order to bring about transformation safely. Based on the findings, the mobilization of resources, raising funds from different actors, devising income generating mechanisms for the community, recruitment of facilitators including female facilitators in maledominated learning centers and training them are recommended

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Education

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