Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the Practices, Challenges and Opportunities of SBM in government secondary schools of Jimma zone. To conduct this study a descriptive survey research design was employed. A total of 301 respondents (161 teachers, 63 SBM groups for questionnaires, 49 student councils for FGD, 7 WEO Vice, 7 supervisors, 7 PTSA and 7 KETB for interview) were included in the study. The schools, principals, head of KETB, PTSA, WEO vice officers were selected using purposive sampling methods. Teachers, student councils were selected using lottery method simple random sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data from questionnaires. Qualitative data were interpreted in words to triangulate the quantitative findings. The results of the study indicated that, the management of discipline and reward teachers was perceived as sufficiently practiced. On the other hand challenges of SBM are, SMC lack sufficient training, participatory non school grant budget preparation, general school budget plan approved by KETB, absence of external auditing, inadequate amount of fund, lack of effective utilization of available resource, low community participation, SMC members lack of commitment, lack pre-appraisal orientation and post feedback for teachers on performance appraisal. The qualitative results well confirmed the quantitative results. Additionally, qualitative findings indicated lack of accountant and cashier. Regarding to opportunities of SBM, the study were indicated community participation, allocation of school grant, block grant and the presence of SMC. Thus, the researcher concluded that although there are various opportunities, SBM practices have not been implemented properly. Finally, to improve the challenges, recommendations were forwarded to REB, ZEO and WEO they have to train SMC, improve their follow up, strengthening external auditing, and employ financial personnel. SMC should have to manage financial and personnel depend on guideline and properly used the available opportunities of SBM
