“A Study On Practice And Challenges Of Implementing Pre-Primary Education Program (A Case Study Of Afar Regional State, Mile, Dubti And Aysaita Woredas) ”

Abstract

The overall objective of the study was to investigate the practice and challenges of implementing Preprimary education program in Afar region of Mile, Dubti and Aysaita woredas and come up with some insights that would help policy makers, educationists, experts, education bureau and Woreda education officers. To achieve this purpose, descriptive design involving both qualitative and quantitative techniques was employed. The total population of the study are 41 school directors, 61 priprimary school teachers, 10 supervisors and 6 experts. totally 118 populations from Dubti and Aysaita Woreda education offices. In the determination of sample size the whole priprimary school principals, teachers, supervisors, and experts who are found the woreda education offices were assessed. From 118 target population of the study the researcher were selected all of the populations of the study by using comperehensive sampling techniques because the number of pupoltion is manageble/small. Instruments used to gather data were observation, questioner and interviews. On the other hand, secondary data were collected from official government policies, relevant reports and publications having bearing with pre-primary program. The data collected by quantitative methods was analyzed by using tables and percentages and data collected by qualitative methods were analyzed thematically. In conclusion, preprimary education organized in primary schools in the studied woredas had been the ignored cycles of education. Little attention has been paid to the preprimary program. And, not yet received due attention and support it deserves. Therefore, to address the gap raised, some recommendations have been forwarded. Among the study’s recommendations, the provision of curricular materials, teachers’ awareness raising, organization of classroom and outdoor spaces, materials and equipment, assignment of qualified teachers, in-service training for teachers and strengthen the linkage between parents and preprimary schools could be mentioned. Generally emphasis should be given to the pre-primary education since it is a foundation for competent future citizen.