Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of community participation for school
effectiveness with particular reference to secondary and preparatory schools in Dawuro Zone.
Descriptive survey research design was employed in this study. The study was conducted in
seven secondary schools which involved the teachers, PTSA members, cluster supervisors and
school principals. Specifically, 120 teachers were participated by using simple random sampling
techniques, 56 PTSA members, 7 school principals and 3 cluster supervisors were the part of this
study by using purposive sampling techniques. The data of the study were collected through
questionnaire, interview and document analysis. The gathered data were analyzed by using
percentage, mean, independent t-test and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. The positive and
significant value of correlation coefficient at 0.05 shows contribution of community participation
has much effort for school effectiveness. The problems most frequently cited were lack of
community participation in school planning, monitoring, decision-making, evaluation and failure
to contribute money and material for school effectiveness. Besides, unfavorable school
environment, absence of collaboration among school and stakeholders, lack of follow-up and
supervision on the implementation of school activities, lack of community participation in
monitoring and evaluation processes of school effectiveness, lack of community participation in
decision-making process , decreasing rate of students’ academic achievement and low level of
community participation in school implementation activities were also frequentlychallenges. The suggested solutions were focused on collaborative and cooperative working with
stakeholders, providing awareness education, conducting parental conferences, creating
community commitment, organizing regular meeting, conducting open discussion with
community, designing clear and updated policies and rules along with regulations on
community participation and following the day-to-day school activities of students
