THE CONTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FOR SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF LOMA WOREDA IN DAWURO ZONE, SNNPRS

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