Primary Education Plan Implementation at Woreda Level The Case of Oromia Regional State
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Abeba university
Abstract
In Ethiopia, as the basis for any development endeavour, considerable attention
and priority has been given to primary education. In realizing this, the New
Education and Training Policy of the country was promulgated in 1994. To this
effect, power, authority and responsibilities have been devolved from Federal
Ministry of Education to the regional, zonal and woreda levels in planning and
implementing educational activities in general and primary education in
particular. In practice, however, these activities were highly challenged by a
number of problems. Thus, the objectives of this study were, to asses the extent
of participation of the stakeholders, the extent of resource (skilled manpower,
fmance and material) capacity, effectiveness and efficiency of the management
system as well as information and communication mechanisms in implementing
primary education at woreda levels in Oromia National Regional State.
Based on these objectives, brief review of the related literature and experience of
some countries was assessed. Using the descriptive survey method, the data
was collected from respondents through questionnaire, interviews and focus
groups discussions. Furthermore, observations and relevant document analysis
were made. Using appropriate statistical tools the data was analyzed and
interpreted.
The findings of the study revealed that the participation of NGOs and private
investors in implementing primary education at woreda level was poor and
despite its increasing pattern, community participation was suffering a lot from
inadequate coordination and integration. On top of this, resource capacity in
terms of administrative skilled manpower, qualified 2nd cycle primary school
teachers, education finance and educational materials were found to be weak.
Educational planning and its implementation were also challenged by shortage
of manpower at technical and managerial positions, inadequate screening
mechanisms and frequent turnover of woreda education officials. Educational
officials and experts lack clear vision of planning objectives and government
policies and regulations. Worse than this, female education professionals as
role models were not encouraged to take part in technical and managerial
positions. Furthermore, absence of modem information and communication
system were among the major factors that hindered planning and
implementation of primary education at Woreda level.
Pertaining to the fmdings deduced from the study, it was revealed that the
participation of stakeholders like NGOs and private investors in implementing
primary education at Woreda levels was poor. Other than this, though the
community participation has been encouraging, it lacked coordination and
integration at Woreda level. To this end, achieving UPE goal by 2015 could be
difficult.
Hence, it is suggested that enabling policy environment should be created in
order to enhance the participation of NGOs and private investor in planning and
implementing primary education at Woreda level. The participation of the
community should also be strengthened by providing technical and managerial
supports particularly at kebele and primary school levels. On top of this,
restructuring and staffing key technical and managerial pOSitions, assigning
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employees on professional competence basis at WECBOs and increasing the
number of qualified 2nd cycle primary school teachers should be of immediate
action. Provision of short and long-term trainings for the existing administrative
personnel and primary school teachers on sustainable basis were also
recommended. Furthermore, the RECBB in collaboration with RFEDB should
increase legal basis that allow use of diversified financial resources by WECBOs
and Schools to minimize the financial challenges which in turn hampers the
availability of educational materials and facilities. Finally, provision of need
based training and the use of modern technologies that could facilitate
educational planning and its implementation at Woreda level are also suggested
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Keywords
Plan Implementation