Wastage in Primary Schools of Baillr Dar Awraja
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Date
1993-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to make an investigation into the magnitude,
and location of wastage in primary schools of Bahir Dar Awraja. Attempts were
also made to identify the major factors that contribute to wastage of high
magnitude. Whether or not pupils' teachers' and school characteristic variable~
are related with rate of wastage was one of the major purposes of this study.
Data regarding pupils enrollment repetition and dropouts were obtained from
Awraja Educational office and from the 16 sample schools, that were selected
randomly. The study included 102 teachers, 301 pupils and 16 school principals.
Questionnaires and interview schedules were the instruments of data collection.
The data gathered from documents, and through questionnaires and interview were
analysed using percentages and other statistical techniques such as the chi-square,
multiple and stepwise regression analysis. To determione the magnitude of wastage
the Reconstructed Cohort method was used with certain modification. Using the
1985/86 first grade starting cohort, the output/input proportion was determined.
The findings have indicated that, of the total number of pupils who entered
grade one 1985/86 academic year only about 55 percent reached grade two and
about 22 percent completed their primary education at the end of the sixth year.
It was found that wastage rate was higher in the first grade, among girls than among
boys, in rural than in urban schools. Being a repeater or a promotee does not
necessarily be the function of personal family background characteristics. The
multiple and step-wise regression results have indicated that teacher, and school
characteristic variables were found important to explain wastage rate. It was thus
revealed that internal factors of wastage were more important than external factors.
The findings, there -fore, suggest that improving these variables may make a
considerable change in the quality and quantity of education children are provided
with. Based on these findings and
th~ conclusions
drawn it was recommended that
measures regarding the improvement of teacher training, the application of
OUtomatic promotion in the first three grades, separation of primary schools from
junior secondary schools and the suspension of the practice of the shift system in
primary schools be taken to minimize the prevailing magnitude of wastage.
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Keywords
Wastage in Primary, Schools of Baillr