The practices of school community partnership in primary schools of Ilu Aba Bor Zone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the practicesof school community partnership in primary schools of Ilu Aba Bor zone. Quantitative method with descriptive survey design was employed.About 10 primary schools, 162 teachers, 10 principals, 10 basic teacher association head, and 10 PTA head were involved.The instruments of data collection werequestionnaires and semi structured interview. Quantitative data were analyzed by frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation and t test while qualitative data were analyzed textually. It was revealed that the status of school community partnership was weak in parenting (M = 2.72, SD = 0.93), volunteerism(M = 2.6,SD = 0.42), communicating(M = 2.84,SD = 0.76), learning at home(M= 2.81,0.7) and decision making(2.88,SD = 0.75) while moderate level of partnership in collaborating beyond the school(M =3.14); school leaders are not effective in playing their role to establish strong school home partnership( M = 2.77,0.7);weakness in planning, low level of community income, distance of home from school, low level of literate community, and low level of school income, teachers’ low level of willingness, low level of interest from community, lack of high expectation from school management were among the major factor has affected school home partnership.It was conclude that weak level of school community partnership lead to lack of shared responsibilities which diminish students learning and academic achievement.It was recommended that school leaders are advisedprepare joint long and short term plan, establish communityteacher association committee to class room level, recognizepartners with best performance. Woreda and zone education office are recommended to provide critical professional support and training in collaboration with teachers training college.WithKey Terms:Partnership, Parenting,Communicating,Volunteering,Learning at home,Decisionmaking,collaborating withthe community.