Practices and Challenges of educational material resource management in secondary schools of kaffa zone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the practice and challenges of management of the educational material resource in secondary schools of Kafa Zone. Among types of mixed research, the concurrent mixed research design was used to conduct the study. For the case of population, simple random sampling /lottery method/ techniques was used for the selection of school, teachers. While purposive sampling techniques were used for school principals. In the data analysis quantitative data gathered through close-ended questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively through descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, and standard deviation were used, and the qualitative data gathered through open-ended questions and interviews were analyzed qualitatively through descriptive narration. Some of the major findings include: Lack of training, lack of awareness, lack of warehouse, lack of good planning skills, lack of knowledge, the dependability and capability of suppliers in providing the required items, and rising prices were negatively affecting the educational resource management practice in most secondary schools. The secondary school leaders were preparing material resource planning without the participation of the stakeholders. Also, educational material resources were not identified, arranged, recorded, and coded properly in the warehouse. There was poor coordination among WEO and secondary schools about the management of educational materials allocation and utilization. Lack of awareness, Lack of warehouse (store), Lack of training for staff Lack of good planning skills, and the dependability and capability of suppliers in providing the required items and environmental factors affect educational material resources management negatively. This led to the misuse of educational material resources and negatively affected the management of educational material resources and this in turn affects the quality of the teaching- learning process. Therefore, this study recommended that WEO should employ the right person such as a trained lab technician, librarian, and record officer at the right place and give continuous training for secondary school staff. Also, proper training and educational material resource management system were needed for principals, teachers, and storekeepers. To overcome the problems related to the management of educational materials resources allocation and utilization activities, schools should prepare proper specifications in advance and based on the requested specifications purchase quality materials