SCHOOL COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPAND ITS INFLUENCE ON EDUCATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF WOLAITA ZONE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to asses school community relationship in government secondary schools of Wolaita Zone. To conduct this study, the sequential explanatory research design was employed. Five woredas and three administrative towns Education Office are selected through purposive sampling technique. Among the 87 government secondary schools found in the Zone, 8 of them were selected randomly as sample schools. From these sample schools, 30, principals 8, school improvement program (SIP), and 8 school board of directors (SBOD) are also included as respondents using purposive sampling technique. Furthermore, 241 teachers were participated in the study through simple random sampling technique. Questionnaire was used as main tool of data collection. Interview analysis was used to substantiate the data gathered throughout questionnaires. Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and independent t test were analyzed quantitative data gained through the questionnaires. The qualitative data gathered thorough interview narrated. The finding of the study revealed that, the levels of School community relationship in the schools of the study area were below the expectation. The strategies that should be used in promoting school community relationship in secondary schools of study area were not fully implemented. Finally, some of factors that affects school community relationship were identified by the study were; Lack of motivations by principals, parents and community to participate in school matters. The study concluded that, the law level of community participation in school matters have influence on students education. Therefore, it is recommended that all stakeholders should device strategies to maximize school community relationship and tackle factors that affect school community relationship