Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of mentorship
program in secondary school of Bunoo Bedele Zone, Oromia Regional State. To be
successful in the study four basic questions were raised. The research design employed in the
study was descriptive survey. The research method was both quantitative and qualitative
approaches were employed. The sampling techniques employed were purposive sampling.
The sample size was 87 mentees, 43 mentors and 9 principals, with the total of 139
participants out of 363 study populations. The data gathering tools were questionnaire,
interview and document analysis. The findings of the study indicated the extent of mentorship
program practices such as mentoring, portfolio development, conducting action researches,
facilitating group discussions and peer observations and evaluating the overall successes and
failures of the implementation processes were inadequately implemented. The major
challenges identified were, absence of incentives for mentors,absence of training,lack of
awareness,inability of mentors in communicating school expectation to mentees. Therefore,
due to emphasis should be given on improving the mentoring activities by being proactive
toward the success. Moreover, timely, adequate and appropriate orientation and/ or training
on mentoring and its elements should be focused on in order to build commitment and team
spirit. Finally it is recommended that providing training periodically on the mentoring
activities; more over mechanism of reward should be arranged for the work done to improve
mentors commitment, morally or materially. For further research it is recommended to see
the mentoring in relation with students’ academic achievement.
