An assessment on practices and challenges of educational material resource management in jimma town: the case of governmental secondary schools

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.