Educational Materials Management Practices in Secondary Schools of Jimma Zone

Abstract

This study examined the educational materials management practices in selected secondary schools of Jimma Zone. The study aimed at establishing the availability of educational materials in the schools, their procurement, distribution, utilization, storage process, inventory control, maintenance and disposal practices in the secondary schools. The study adapted a descriptive survey design targeting a total population of 434(318 males and 116 females) teachers working at the 7 selected government secondary schools of Jimma zone. Out of these, 208 teachers were chosen as a sample through simple random sampling technique. The study also involved the 7 school principals, 6 store keeper, 6 material distributors and 14 PTSA of the schools, all of whom were purposively selected. Questionnaires, interview, observations, and document analysis were employed to collect data from primary and secondary sources. While the sample teachers filled the questionnaires, the second respondent groups including school principals, store keepers, etc., were interviewed. Observation was also conducted to corroborate the quantitative and qualitative data. While the quantitative data were presented in tables and analyzed using SPSS and descriptive statistics; the qualitative data from interview were presented in narrations and analyzed through comparing and contrasting with the quantitative data. The study findings revealed inadequate educational materials in the sampled schools. i.e., inadequate classrooms, students’ desks, chairs, blackboards, stationaries, staff rooms, libraries, laboratories and computer labs etc., Thus, the school managers need to conduct regular assessment and evaluation of educational materials and ensure that these resources are adequately provided. The appropriate offices –woreda, Zone, and regional education bureaus need to help the schools.