The Successes and Challenges of Cluster Model in Professional Development of Primary School Teachers in Oromia: the Experience of Usaid-Aed/Beso Ii Project
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to .identifY the successes and challenges of cluster
model for professional development of primary school teachers in Oromia with
respect to the experience of USAlD-AEDIBESO II project. To deal with the
problem, four basic research questions were formulated that were focused on the
extent to which the cluster model has been successjid in teachers' professional
development andfactors that imposed its successes.
Descriptive survey method was employed to conduct this research which was
carried out in 133 (29 CRCs and 104 satellite) schools found in 29 Weredas of 16
Zones in Oromia. The questionnaire was the main data collecting instrument
substantiated with focus group discussion, observation and documentwy analysis in
some respects.
The finding of the study revealed that the implementation of teachers' professional
development using cluster model has some challenges to be mitigated. Insufficiency
of trainings offered by BESO If project to equip teachers with knowledge and skills
of implementing active learning, resistance and inadequacy of resource to be used
in common, and turnover of trained key teachers and directors who have the
primary responsibility to implement teachers professional development activities at
CRCsl school level were some of the challenges that this research has found out.
Joint planning and execution of BESO If project with OEB, ZEOs and WEOs that
may contribute for sustainability of best practices of the project, teachers initiation
to implement active learning and experience sharing were among the major
successes of the project revealed in this study.
Finally, based on the major findings some recommendations like, offering sufficient
training to the target groups on a continual basis, jilrnishing CRCs with basic
resources and provision of proper technical support that may enable them minimize
the turnover of trained resource persons to run CRC activities as required were
made.
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Keywords
Cluster Model in Professional Development