The Status of the Alternative Basic Education Development and Future Directions in The Pastoral Communities of Snnprs
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of Alternative Basic Education program in pastoral
communities ofSNNPRS particularly in south omo zone. It attempts to identify the achievements and
constraints of the program towards UPE. To this end descriptive survey method was employed to reflect the
intended purpose of the study. Review of available literature was reviewed to find out what had been wrillen
and experienced in the research area. 29 Educational officials, 13 NGD coordinators and 49 A BE center
facilitators were selected by purposive sampling technique and participated by giving responses by
questionnaire. While 40 ABE students and 20 CMC members were selected by random and available
sampling techniques and were participated with interview and focus group discussion respectively. The data
obtained/rom questionnaire were analyzed using statistical tools like percentage, average mean, weighted
mean, independent sample t-test and chi-square. The data from interview,focus group discussion and
observation was analyzed qualitatively. Thefindingsfrom data analysis indicated th at the program was
affected by many constraints such as Absence offacilities, unavailability of learning materials, low
perception of the program by the community, low attention to the program in providing supervision and
support, assignment of untrained facilitators, over loaded content, difficult curriculum and high drop-out
rate. In general, th e constraints were ajoin/function a/socia-economic, socio- cultural and center related
(in trinsic) problems. These problems undermined the quality of education in the study area. The basic
principles of ABE is to reach th e un-reached by taking schools near the vii/ages of children that are denied of
their righrs 10 basic education through enhancing the active participation of local communities in managing
and controlling educational programs at grass roqts level. Thus, it was suggested that in addition to making
centers accessible to the needy child, the actllal learning environment required certain quality improvements.
Therefore, before the program has to be implemented policy makers and implementers should have adequate
information about the "what" and" how" of the program for its effective implementation. Besides,
sensitization of the society on the vallie of the program, reforming of curriculum, recruiting teachers from the
local society (pastoralists) and improving the life condition and the professional competence offacilitators
arejorwarded as recommendation.
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Keywords
Alternative Basic Education Development