Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to assess the community participation in school
improvement program in secondary schools of west shoa Zone. The core activities of
school improvement: community participation domain such as Promoting education,
engaging with community, school environment and CP, school leadership and CP, and
challenges SI in the study area. To accomplish this purpose, the study employed a
descriptive survey method, which is supplemented by qualitative research. The study was
carried out under clustery selected seven secondary schools of West Shoa Zone. A total
of 435 individuals were participated in the study. Among them 339 teachers were
included as a sample through simple random sampling technique especially lottery
method. Additionally, 24 secondary school principals, 24 SIC committee members, 24
KETB and 24 PTA members, were included through purposive sampling technique
whereas, principals were through availability sampling. Questionnaire and interview
was the main instrument of data collection. Interview were also utilized to substantiate
the data collected through the questionnaire The analysis of the quantitative data was
carried out by using percent, mean and standard deviation. While data obtained through
open ended questions, and interview were qualitatively analyzed. The results of the study
revealed that, community participation in school improvement were not satisfactory.
Stakeholders and school KETB, SIC and PTA members were in a difficult position to run
school improvement activities as they didn’t have prior trainings. Furthermore, lack of
training and shortage of budget, and inadequate communication skill of school
principals, shortage of support from community, lack of team work and collaboration,
lack of school level policy and guidelines, inadequate willingness and commitments of
stakeholders, Lack of safe and attractive school environment and lack of school facility
hinder proper implementation of school improvement. In short, there is gap between
policy intentions and actual practices. Finally, the study came up with the following
recommendations: training opportunities on school improvement for stakeholders
through seminars, workshops and discussion forums about the about community
participation, develop school level policy and guidelines, design a strategy to ensure
sustainable participation of the community and create a strong awareness among
stakeholders so as to get them actively involved in school improvement activiti
