An Assessment of the Progress and Challenges in Achieving Universal Primary Education by 2015: The Case of Dire Dawa Administrative Council
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main purpo 'e (~r this study was to C1 'sess the progress towards the goal of universal
primaly 'ducation and to identify the major challenges and problems that have affected the
achievement of the goal in Dire Dawa Administrative Council. The study employed a
descriptive survey method, and involves both primary and secondary sources of data.
Recent education tati tical data of primary education were used to make the analysis on
the progre 's towards the goal of UPĀ£. Moreover, primQly data through questionnaires and
interview were collected form primary school teachers and principals, and education
officials and experts. The collected data were analyzed and interpreted using enrollment
rations, parity index, and representation index, coefficient of efficiency, percentage, mean
and chi-square test.
The finding of the study revealed that educational access and coverage have shown
remarkable improvements over the last five years, between 2003104 and 2007108. However,
as the net enrolment ratios show that entry to grade one has been highly dominated by over
aged children, particularly in rural areas, and about 27% of children were still out of
school. Improvements were also registered in ensuring equity in the provision of primary
education, but disparities between boys and girls and urban-rural disparities have been
challenges to achieve UP E. Moreover, inefficiency of student flow as reflected by high
drop-out, low survival and completion rates was the other challenge in achieving the goal
by 2015.
In addition, the school physical environment and its management-related-problems such as
long home-school distance, lack of school basic facilities and materials, lack of
instructional supervision, lack of counseling and support for students and the likes were
identified as a factor that made schools environmental less child-friendly and discouraged
school attendance. The socio-economic and cultural problems: family low income, drought
and food shortage, child labor demand, parents ' illiteracy, early marriage and the likes
were also affected the education of children, particularly of girls and rural children.
Moreover, less commitment of the political leadership to education has also contributed to
the non-achievement of UP E. Thus, if these present conditions and challenges persist, Dire
Dawa unlikely or has less chance to achieve the goal of UP E by 2015.
Finally, the study recommended that for UP E to be achieved those challenges and
problems need to be solved. Net intake rates to grade one should approximately reach
100%, and the cohort ever entering grade 1 must be kept in the system to progress through
the education ladder to complete the final grade of primary education by avoiding drop Ollt
and repetition. Emphasis should also be given to increa e access and equity by addressing
all the inhibiting factors (social, economic and cultural). Moreover, all these could be put
to the ground with strong political and leadership commitments.
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Keywords
Challenges in Achieving Universal Primary Education