Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the practices that have been carried out by Woreda
Education Offices of Assosa Zone in training and developing their human resources
since2003E.c and also examine problems that had been hindering such efforts. Descriptive
survey research design was employed to conduct the research. Questionnaires, interviews and
document analysis were used as data gathering tools. Census sampling methods was used to
include sample respondents. Data were collected from 7 Woreda Education Offices, including
Zonal Education Office. A total of 8 Education Office heads, 31 teachers’ development process
owners and 67 experts were involved as respondents of the study. The data were analyzed by
using percentage, frequency, mean scores and t-test.The findings of the study revealed the
practice of systematic training and development need-assessment had been non-existent. The
Woreda Education Offices were not in a position to set appropriate training and development
programs and set objectives by themselves. Besides, the practice of utilizing on-the-job training and
development methods, long-term off-the-job training methods and arranging induction programs had
been neglected. Moreover, the study revealed that the Woreda Education Offices didn’t have
systematic evaluation techniques by which the outcomes of training and development programs
were evaluated. In addition to this, lack of attention from top officials, lack of skill and lack of
budget were the problems that challenged the training and development programs in Woreda
Education Offices. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were suggested. Firstly,
in order to achieve goals of training and development programs systematic need assessment has
to be carried Secondly, effective on-the-job- training and development program has to be
designed. Thirdly, an evaluation scheme by which the outcomes of training and development
program are evaluated has to be desired. Lastly, to overcome problems that hinder HRTD
activities, the Woreda Education Offices have to give much attention for training and
development of its HR, the education offices should include training and development programs
in its annual budget plan and allocate adequate budget and/or develop convincing training and
development proposal and submit to nongovernmental organizations like UNICEF, World
vision to obtain fund for designing and implementing training and development programs.
