Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the practice and challenges of educational
resource management of Jimma town governmental secondary school. In order to meet the
objectives of the study, a descriptive survey design was employed. From the total population
of 118 teachers, 6866 students and 27 non-teaching staff; 106 teachers, 96 students were
randomly and 23 non-teaching staff purposely selected for this study. PTA chair persons,
school KETB chair persons, 2 Jimma education office heads, 2 supervisors, 1 curriculum
head were also selected by using purposive sampling. Questionnaire, interview, document
analysis, observation and focus group discussion were used for data collection. The data
obtained through questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS software to calculate mean,
standard deviation, t- test, p-value and percentile. Information obtained through open ended
questionnaire, interview, observation and focus group discussion were qualitatively analyzed
to supplement the quantitative data. The questionnaires was administered to 118 teaching
staff and 27 non-teaching staff of the participants which 89.3% of teaching staff and 88.46%
of non-teaching staff were properly filled and returned. The information gathered through
open ended questions was narrated qualitatively. The results of document analysis,
observations, interviewed and focus group discussion were also described as the supplement
of the questionnaires. The finding revealed that regarding the process planning the role of
the sample schools directors was low that resulted the participants’ role in the process of
planning was low. Regarding that the schools planning that addressed the need of
educational material and facility to ensure adequately available educational material of the
mentioned schools was not addressed maintenance of educational material .Concerning
availability and utilization of educational material and facility the in the class room,
computer center, in the library laboratory was not adequately available. Regarding the
practice of educational material and facility maintenance in the schools; regular and
emergency maintenance were not practiced for desks and chairs but the emergency
maintenance practiced for machines. Concerning the store management inventory control
was not practiced. The evidence that uses for receiving and taking out of material was not
used, coding material, arraigning material and disposing the obsolescence and worn out
material timely was not practiced. Beside that different barrier that affects educational
material management the overall recommendation of the study was to improve educational
material management and raising the school program that should be conducted through
providing training the on planning and implementation of planning.
