An Assessment of Community Participation in Supporting Primary Education in South Zone of Tigray Region
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Since 1995 E.C when the abolition of registration fees in the region became effective and the government
has cut allocating capital budget for primary education, schools are facing problems in running
educational activities due to lack of adequate funding. This situation coupled with the poor status of most
schools which have not been maintained for long and are ill-equipped and the commitment to achieve
UPE, obviously requires the involvement of the community than ever before. In light of this, the main
purpose of this study was to assess the participation of local community in support of educational
programs in primary schools and thereby identify the potential constraints and the drawbacks
encountered, strengths observed and suggest viable recommendations that would enhance the
endeavours further.
To this end, the study employed descriptive survey research method. Accordingly, questionnaire
and interview guide were prepared, pilot tested and administered to 138 sample subjects
consisting of 80 PTA members, 40 LETE members and 18 WED. A total of 97 subjects (98.9
percent) havejilled and returned the questionnaire and 40 of the interviewees were approached.
Moreover, document analysis was used to supplement the data gathered through questionnaire
and interview. Finally, the data gathered was analysed using percentage and t - test as well as
qualitative analysis.
The results obtainedfrom the study indicate that the level of participation of PTA, LETE and the
community was satisfactory though it is mainly limited to labour contribution. Nevertheless, it
has been constrained by factors such as lack of knowledge and skill of PTA and LETE members
in mobilization and governance, lack of coordination in among the authorities etc. In view of this
the future prospect of community participation will be at stake unless the aforementioned
problems are tackled.
Finally, the study has come up with the following recommendations that are believed to alleviate
the problems faced and improve the practice. These include: raising the awareness of the
community and build the capacity of PTA and LETE, developing the culture of evaluation,
recognizing the efforts of the community and encouraging PTA members, so as to create a
facilitated condition for promoting the participation of the community in a sustainable and
meaningful manner.
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Keywords
Supporting Primary Education