Assessment of Self-Evaluation Practice in Government Schools: Study on Primary School in Ambo Town, Oromia Regional State

Abstract

The study focused on Assessment of Self-Evaluation Practice in Government Primary Schools in Ambo Town, Oromia Regional Sate. In the statement of the problem the research gap was discussed. The basic research questions to be answered were, to what extent government primary schools are practicing school self-evaluation in the study areas? , Are there any process and steps for school self-evaluation in the primary schools in the study areas? How are in school stakeholders perceive the usefulness of school self-evaluation in primary schools? , and what challenges are facing school self-evaluation practice in government primary schools level in the study area? The general objective of this study is to assess the self- evaluation practice in government primary schools in the study area. The specific objectives of the study are: To assess the extent to which the schools exercise school self-evaluation practice in government primary schools. Are there any process and steps for school self-evaluation in primary schools in study area? To investigate how schools stakeholders perceive the usefulness of school self-evaluation? To assess challenges that faces the practice of school self-evaluation in primary school level. Self-developed questionnaire was employed as the main data collection instrument in addition to interview and focus group discussion analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency counts and percentage. Qualitative data were analyzed by using narration. To conduct the study, descriptive survey design was employed and through quantitative and qualitative method, the data were collected from 84, teachers, 7 principals, vice principals, primary school Cluster supervisors, and SB 14 from 7 selected schools by simple random sampling technique. Besides, 5 focus groups are chosen for interview and discussion. Questionnaires were the main data gathering instrument for this study. The data collected through questionnaires, were organized, tabulated and analyzed by using descriptive design and those collected through interview and focus group discussion were narrated items in tables to be enriching the quantitative data. Quantitative data collected through questionnaires were analyzed by using SPSS v.20 software. Thus, the finding of the study revealed that School self evaluation was not exercised to improve that are associated with gathering evidence, analyzing school evidence ,writing and sharing report, improvement and draw conclusions, implementing and monitoring activities, except identifying school problems, and planning . In school x stakeholders perceives school self-evaluation negatively as not important activities. School self evaluation committee observes school self-evaluation as bureaucratic process rather than school improvement, recognizes activities as time consuming and difficult. Based on the summary of the finding and conclusion drawn the following possible recommendation are forwarded. The school self-evaluation committees need to change the trend of using more time for school improvement than administrative activities. To extend the skill development of school self evaluation committee on the school self-evaluation to help them keep up with modern trends of education. It is advisable that the Ambo Town government primary school organize refresher courses, seminars, workshops to enhance school self-evaluation concepts and action research in solving immediate problems. Develop school self-evaluation guidelines, manuals, and frame works to separate school self-evaluation from inspection to enable schools in school evaluation from bottom up evaluation .Develop school self-evaluation guidelines, manuals, and frame works to separate school self-evaluation from school improvement program