Management and Utilization of Educational Material Resources in Secondary Schools of Jimma Zone Oromia Regional State

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.