Practices And Challenges Of Strategic Planning Implementation In Government Secondary Schools Of Elfeta Woreda, West Shoa Zone

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess practice and challenges of strategic plan implementation in Government secondary schools of Elfeta Woreda. In order to seek answers to the research questions, a descriptive survey design was employed. The sample of the study was selected through purposive and simple random sampling technique from three secondary schools of the district. The subjects of the study were principals, teachers, PTA’s, supervisor and woreda education experts. The data was gathered from respondents through questionnaire and interview. Furthermore, document analysis was made to supplement the data collected through questionnaire and interview. Questionnaires were distributed for teachers and school principals. The data obtained was analyzed by descriptive method and presented using percentage, mean score and standard deviation in tables. Results of the study revealed that stakeholders participation in the process of strategic plan and utilization of data collection, and mobilization of resources to determine priorities were low. The study further portrayed that lack of knowledge and skills, problem of resource capacity, lack of integration and weak monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms of school strategic plan implementation. Thus, based on the findings obtained it can be concluded that the extent of Strategic Planning implementation was highly affected by poor review and design, lack of effective participation, and collaboration of the plan actors and mobilization of resources as well weak implementation strategies, lack of regular monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms. This implies that the problems emanate from lack of planning skills, knowledge and experience in conducting school review and determination of priorities by participating stakeholder, and mobilization of other resources, as well as problems of implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Therefore, it is recommended that awareness creation and strengthening the participation of the plan actors, mobilizing internal and external stakeholders would enable to achieve the anticipated Strategic Planning implementation effectively and efficiently.