Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to assess the management and utilization of educational
material resources in the government secondary schools of Jimma zone. It was concerned
with educational material resource management functions; planning, purchasing, storing,
distribution, Disposition, maintenance, and challenges faced in the implementation of policies
and guidelines. This study employed a descriptive survey research design, including both
quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 156 respondents, including 132 academic and
administrative staff, 12 finance officers and Woreda experts using comprehensive sampling;
and 12 Woreda education and finance office heads using purposive sampling, were included
in the sample population. Questionnaires, interviews, observation, and document analysis
were used to collect data for the study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics
(mean and standard deviations) with the help of SPSS version 26. Based on the analysis of the
data, it was found that the practice of educational material management and utilization was
found to be moderate. The educational materials purchasing was found low level, educational
materials maintenance were found low level, educational materials disposal were found low
level, the extent of the utilization of material resources were found low level practice, And
there was major challenges in material resource management and utilization found low
practice and this show there were challenges in material resource management and
utilization. The study further revealed that poor involvement of stakeholders, lack of
commitment, lack of budget, lack of continuous supervision, and lack of guidelines and
regulation were major impediments to school material management and utilization. It was
possible to conclude that the practice of educational materials purchasing, disposal and
maintenance was found in low level Based on these findings, the researcher made some
recommendations Secondary schools and the Woreda education office together should give
principals, teachers, and non-teaching staff on-job-training to enable them with knowledge,
awareness, and basic skills regarding the management and utilization of educational material
resources. And the school management should work closely with others and with positive
cooperation designed by concerned bodies to utilize and manage educational materials
properly.
