PROSPECT AND GENERAL TRENDS TO OVER

COME SHORTCOMINGS HINDER TO ENHANCE THE

QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN HALMO PRIMARY

AND SECONDARY SCHOOL-SHERKOLE WOREDA-

BENISHANGUL GUMUZ REGIONAL STATE

BY-NEBIYU HAILEMICHAEL

2009 SHERKOLE

Acknowledgments

I am greatly indebted to the entire staff of the school of their

commitment to maintain the quality of our education. My heartfelt

thank attributed to the school principal Ato Amare Betre for the

incisive comment he render me. I obliged to Ahmed Dino to his

constructive suggestion in the course of the research. Ultimately, I

would like to express my gratitude to Atom Amir Hojele, the head

of Sherkole Woreda Capacity building and educational Office,

who furnished me stationary materials with cordial appreciation.

I

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. Introduction--------------------------------------------------1

Chapter One: Major problems discovered

1.1 Woreda level administrative problems--------------3

1.2 School related problems-------------------------------4

1.3 Student related problems------------------------------6

1.4 Problems related to bad weathering Condition----7

Chapter Two: Suggested Recommendations 2.1 The commencement of learning on time------------8

2.2 Enhancing the role of civic clubs---------------------9

2.3 Alleviate the recurring absence of students’

from school---------------------------------------------11

2.4 Sustainable Implementation of genuine

continuous assessment--------------------------------14

2.5 Full scale implementation of student centered

Education policy --------------------------------------16

2.6 Rendering sustainable Skill development

training and work shop to the teachers------------- 17

2.7 Promoting good governance--------------------------17

2.8 Changing the Awareness of the society------------ 18

2.9 Utilizing the material resources of the school

properly ------------------------------------------------------------19

2.10 Consolidating educational and science

experiment center----------------------------------------20

2.11 Enhancing the commitment of the teachers ---------21

3. Conclusion------------------------------------------------23 4. Bibliography--------------------------------------------24

II

Introduction

The final issue of any research work is valuable only if it

identified prominent shortcomings with its prospect and remedial

suggestion. On this regard such research works play decisive role

to overcome the problems and debilities impede us from reaching

prosper and achieving the desired quality of education. The merit

of research works is pertinent both for the Academic institution

and the author. It indicates the possibility of prospects by

identifying the existing problems. Besides, it gives the author

chance to express his idea vividly. Often research works come

across breakthrough which will create a glimmer of hope to the

future revising current problebms.

However problems are incessant the contributions of such

works help us to get rid of hurdles to some extent. Currently the

Woreda administrative and the school endeavored to implement

school improvement program as crucial option to enhance the

quality of education. In accordance with extensive implementation

of school improvement program, there are handful things to do

with the problems of the school. To bring perceptible result on

enhancing the quality of our education the role of woreda

administrative and the staff members of the school is

indispensable. Overcoming insuperable shortcomings in the school

is not merely the duty of the staff member; it demands equal

1

participation of other concerned government bodies and public

participation. The crucial point anticipated to grasp is how we

could bring enhancement on the quality of our education. This

issue is indeed a sweeping idea needed examining the fact

profoundly. We will perceive the detail part of this idea later on the

course of the work.

This research work is aimed to discuss the major defects

hamper our school from achieving good standard of education with

possibility of prospects whereby open the way, and prepare fertile

ground for future success. The academic affairs is a full of intricate

problems. In order to solve the problems around us adequate

contemplation is compulsory. The problems of our school emanate

from several sources. It encompasses student related, school

administrative, woreda level administrative, lack of society based

educational culture and unsuitable weather condition.

If we shouldn’t exert ourselves to solve the problems inch-by-

inch it goes deepen. The failure of our students at national

examination is the perennial and drastic outcome of the above

mentioned mingled problems. Besides, the unmentionable result

and failure of our students is perhaps a token of startling ringing

bell sound. If we perpetually neglect these problems it is

impossible to turn around. In this research the author endeavored

to identify his own prospect and general trend help us to overcome

2

our debilities. If we exert ourselves on identifying and solving the

problems, the author believed that the problems will no more

persist.

CHAPTER ONE

1. Major problems discovered Under this chapter we will perceive the major debilities and

problems pervade in our school form different side. It over

accentuate problems exist among the school, woreda educational

bureau, students and the society in general.

1.1 Woreda (district) level administrative problems Lack of competent and well trainee human resource.

Lack of coordination between the school and woreda capacity

building and educational office.

Failure to render sustainable training and workshops to

enhance and develop the skills of the teachers.

Absence of sober assessment and genuine supervision.

Failure to mobilize and arouse the society to take part in the

teaching –learning process.

Reckless to heed and meet the need and problems of the

teachers and concerning them merely as accusers.

Unable to foresee the problems faced them and how to solve it

pragmatically.

3

Failure to arrange arena of open discussion with the school

staff and other concerned bodies, which play pivotal role to

underpin mutual understanding.

Inadequate supply of resource materials to the school in terms

of quantity and quality.

Absence of punctuality on responding to the imperative need

of the school.

Exhaustion of officials as a result of performing and occupying

several tasks at once rather than hiring trainee employee.

Failure to maintain the morale of the teachers by granting what

they deserts.

Disinclined to replace resigned and transferred teachers by

new employee, this compelled the remained carry unutterable

burden.

Ostracizing cluster supervisors and woreda Teachers’

association from decision- making process.

1.2 School related Problems

Improper utilization of material resource.

Absence of well furnished and service providing library.

Inadequate distribution of text book.

Absence of recreational or amusement center in the school.

Lack of practical demonstration fields such as football,

basketball and handball fields.

4

Absence of basic facilities such as clean water, standard and

clean toilets and trash dumping garbage.

Incapability to renew and replace obsolete equipments and

materials of the school.

Lack of reference materials and teaching aids such as

syllabus, supplementary books, teachers’ guide, research

works, maps, sketch and so on.

Absence of laboratory for chemistry, biology and physics

experiments.

Absence of organized and active clubs, which invite the

participation of both the students and the staff.

Shortage of classroom which obliged the school teaches

enormous number of students in a single class.

The failure to commence learning on the scheduled time.

Unable to eradicate the back ward attitude of the society to

ward education and enhancing community based education

system.

Failure to perform and implement full scale genuine

continuous assessment.

Lack of ample preparation of handful teachers of what they

are going to lesson.

Recurring absence of teachers from work during the prelude

and aftermath of holyday.

5

Fizzled out on implementing student centered education

policy.

Low commitment to achieve and assured the quality of

education in accordance with school improvement program.

Absence of plasma distribution, while the necessary

equipment is furnished.

Inaccessibility to have adequate computer, science and

technology devises.

1.3 student related problems

The habit of coming belated to school after the school has

already been opened.

Recurring absence of the students from class.

Reluctant to stay in the class until the end of the final period.

Lack of experience to use library often.

Disinclined to perform home works and assignments properly

and punctually.

Susceptibility of students to narcotics such as smoking

cigarette, chewing chat and drinking alcohol.

Lack of participation in different civic clubs of the school.

Lack of discipline.

Coming late often after class has already been started.

Lack of concentration and insight.

Poor reading habit either in the school compound or at home.

Absence of public library in the district.

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Absence of supplementary and reference books put out for

sale in the local market.

The long distance of the school from the dwelling home of

the students.

Lack of getting the necessary material and financial support

from family.

Lack of vision and commitment to promote their life via

education.

Lack of awareness of the merit and essence of learning.

4. Problems related to bad weathering condition During the hot winter students are virtually compelled to

doze in the class rooms other than attending the lesson

properly, this distracts their attention outright.

Class room buildings are erected with out taking the weather

condition of the area in to consideration.

However, using ventilation to each classroom transcends

beyond the financial capacity of the school but our buildings

are not modified deliberately to vent air inside and outside

the room.

Teachers are also being exhausted as a result of unfailing and

harsh weather, which ultimately alleviate their commitment.

7

CHAPTER TWO

2. SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATIONS

In the course of this chapter suggested recommendations are

deeply emphasized. The hypothesis illuminated in this chapter

somehow deemed as ideal solution for the above mentioned

defects, only if it implemented by the concerned bodies.

2.1The commencement of learning on time One problem affect the quality of education in Halmo School is

the failure of commencing learning according to the scheduled

calendar. Education commences often properly after a month delay

from the regular time. This ruffles the normal teaching–learning

process. Owing to this teachers’ are unable to cover portions with

in the semesters. Besides, the annual plan formulated to be

implemented doesn’t hit the target. If the weekly lesson plans

doesn’t commensurate with the annual plan teachers’ are

responsible to bridge the gap by preparing make up class in order

to compensate the missed portions. Often at the end of the

semesters all subjects are virtually remained uncovered. This

directly affects the quality of education severely. Promoting

students from class to class with out equipping them adequate

knowledge is worthless. How could we create competent students

without furnishing them intact knowledge? This problem is a real

parameter affect the teaching-learning process tremendously.

8

In order to render teachers adequate time to finish the topic

with in the scheduled time it is imperative to commence learning

on time or extending the semester until topics are appropriately

covered. But the rush to cover vast topics with in a short period of

time is not remedy rather confuse students not to understand the

value and essence of the subject matter. The teachers pretend

finished the lesson on time but the hidden fact is students couldn’t

examine the subtopic profoundly.

Genuine commitment is needed to solve problems

pragmatically. This problem hinders teachers to carry out full scale

continuous assessment task, which play pivotal role for the

campaign of enhancing the quality of our education. It is

inconvenient to perform sustainable assessment with hasty pace of

teaching many topics in a short period of time. If portions are

uncovered on time it is difficult to assess each subtopic cautiously

and appropriately. So in order to overcome such shortcomings

commencing and ending learning on time is matchless remedy to

maintain the normal teaching-learning process and ultimately

enhance the quality of education.

2.2 Enhancing the role of civic clubs The roles of civic clubs to create capable citizens are

significant. In Halmo primary and secondary school there is only

handful clubs which invite and incited students to participate

actively. Learning education in the class merely is not enough to

9

inculcate the value and essence of the subject matter on the mind

of students. The school should be the place where students’ are

shaped ethically, morally, and furnished the proper education.

Rendering adequate education accompanied by active participation

of students in civic clubs help the process of enhancing the quality

of education.

Civic clubs noticed students’ with their right, responsibility,

and duty as well as preparing them to undertake future country’s

responsibility. Psychological consciousness brought by civics

clubs are vital to examine and foresee about the day to day life

with in and outside the school. The establishment of civic clubs

and active participation of both students and their teachers is

essential to mount mental awareness of students as well as raise

their participation in the school, which paved the way to exchange

experience, view, and ideas amid themselves. The more students

familiarized with the subject matter, the better their mind widen.

The ultimate goal of civic clubs are to create citizens who

have good insight of understanding the essence and merit of

learning whereby contribute their part on the campaign of

economic, social and political development of their country.

The role of the young generation on eradicating poverty,

wiping out corruption and precluding the spread of HIV/AIDS is

notable. This is tangible only when we able to induce a good

10

citizens from the school by furnishing them a quality education.

Students’ should participate on several clubs such as welfare

association, environmental protection, civics and ethical education,

Red Cross society, HIV/AIDS prevention, Anti-child labor and

feminist advocator clubs.

Building democratic system should commence from the

school. If teachers’ encouraged students participate in decision

making, open discussions and other practical demonstration in the

school, students will train implement what they have learned in the

class and practice theories and ideas in the real world as well as

developed the skill to cope with problems relating to academic

affairs. Therefore the inception of various civic clubs and

participation of students is likely to bring remarkable change to

raise the insight of students. The responsibility of structuring thus

various forms of civic clubs in the school mainly attributed to the

school administrative.

2.3 Alleviate the recurring absence of students’ from

school The recurring absences of students’ from class impede the

effort to improve the quality of education. In Halmo primary and

secondary school there is a prevalent absence of students’ from

class. Barely 40-60 percent of students’ attend class properly.

11

Class No.of

students

Absented Presented

November 1st week November 2

nd week November 1

st week November 2

ndweek

M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F

8th

95 40 48 50 49 53 53 51 48 47 52 55 47 45 46 42 42 44 47 48 43

9th

68 15 18 19 17 26 18 18 17 16 23 53 50 49 51 42 50 50 51 52 45

Table 1 a sample of students’ attendance, November 2001 E.C

Class No.of

students

Absented Presented

March 1st week March 2

nd week March 1

st week March2

ndweek

M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F

8th

95 43 50 52 55 43 51 62 54 47 48 52 45 43 40 52 44 33 41 48 47

9th

71 34 21 31 21 37 36 19 21 31 47 37 50 40 50 34 35 52 50 40 34

Table 2 a sample of students’ attendance, March 2001 E.C

Class Total No.of

students’

Dropout Promoted Impromoted

1st 115 32 71 12

2nd

77 8 69 ___

3rd

105 12 80 13

4th

42 5 34 3

5th

322 108 126 88

6th

100 23 50 27

7th

99 27 57 15

8th

95 15 4 ___

9th

71 19 38 14

10th

48 2 10 ___

Table 3 Halmo P&S School Annual Students’ Statistics, 2001 E.C

12

From the above table we can easily realize that the absence

and drop out of students were pervasive in each class. As per

students’ absent from class, they failed to realize the central theme

of the subject matter. As a result the difference among students

became widen. In addition, the frequent absences of students’ from

school hinder to perform continuous assessment. This by itself

trigger off the failure in the quality of our education.

There are several reasons to the absence of students from class:

Firstly, most of the students established marriage before the

completion of school, this obliged them undertook the

responsibility of leading family. They engaged to work in gold

extraction mines, agriculture, trade and temporary labor work in

the neighboring country in order to uphold their financial

problems. Secondly, wedding and religious ceremonies distract the

attention of student from coming to school. The prolonged and

extensive celebration enforced students commit their time to the

occasion other than learning. Rendering precedence to other

activities reduce the participation and the role of students in the

teaching-learning process. Thirdly, lack of awareness and

commitment to their education is also one reason. Often they are

unwilling to stay in the school and propose irrelevant pretext to get

home. Finally, lack of community based educational culture is also

one factor. The remedial action is formulating strategies and

13

implementing in order to mitigate the above mentioned problems.

Some suggested possibilities mentioned as follow:

Discussing extensively with the students’ parent. Creating

rich relation ship with parent help to follow the situation

more closely and allow parents to involve in teaching-

learning process.

Changing the awareness of students toward education. The

school staff is responsible to acquaint with students the merit

of coming to school and the consequence of being absent.

Furnishing them adequate advice through different way that

entering into marriage before the completion of school is

detrimental.

Urging students’ to perform their personal duties only after

they returned back home.

Carrying out firm inspection with necessary punishment

should also serve as option.

2.4 Sustainable implementation of genuine continuous

assessment

Continuous assessment is a parameter determines the

assurance of the quality of education in a given school. It is one

mechanism whereby we can maintain the quality of our education.

With out genuine implementation of continuous assessment it is

inconceivable to bring the desired quality of education. In Halmo

14

primary and secondary school it doesn’t fully performed

consistently as a result of several problems. The failure to carrying

out sustainable assessment hinder us to reach prospers. The

solution is giving it precedence and profound concern. Some

mechanisms that help us to cope successfully with this issue are

depicted as follow:

Assessing students’ at the end of each topic regularly.

Identifying the problem of students’ and seeking solution

accordingly.

Classifying students into different groups according to their

status such as high, medium and Low. Heed special attention

to those who scored low result i.e. preparing make up class,

spur them to be attentive to their education, allowing them to

participate in the class equally with others and if available

providing them supplementary materials.

Summarizing the topic profoundly before going to assess

students’.

Using both formal and informal methods to assess students’

Avoiding to assess several topics at once, which may have

reduce the burden of students and create more validation.

Preparing readable, unambiguous, inclusive, and incisive

exams.

Giving a commensurate value to their deed and achievement.

15

Promoting students from class to class with out assessing them

appropriately is worthless, which couldn’t help us to maintain the

quality of our education rather killing generation who are

preparing to undertake future responsibility of their nation.

2.5 Full scale implementation of student centered

education policy

One merit of implementing student centered education policy

is raising the participation of students in the class. In Halmo

primary and secondary school massive number of students are

learned in a single class this hinder us from implementing and

practicing full scale student centered education policy. If enormous

numbers of students are comprised in one class it is difficult to

entail all students on the discussion. Besides, the time is not quit

enough to render note, clarify and allow students’ participation in

the discussion. In order to solve the above mentioned problem of

our school indeed profound contemplation is needed. The

following suggested views will help us to implement student center

education policy:

Building additional classrooms.

Hiring trainee qualified teachers.

Reducing the maximum class allocation and sharing to the

less burdened.

16

Preparing the necessary teaching aid materials which help

students understand the lesson easily and reduce time killing.

Allow students to develop creativity.

Consolidating education center by providing the necessary

materials.

Preparing modern laboratory for Chemistry, Physics, and

Biology experiment.

Supplying the library with useful guide and reference books.

2.6 Rendering sustainable skill development training

and workshop to the teachers

However the training teachers have got from colleges and higher

institutions is essential, supplementary training to enhance their

skills on work is necessary to keep the normal tempo of education.

The main concerned bodies anticipated to facilitate this task is

mainly the Regional Educational Bureau and Woreda Capacity

building and Educational office. The woreda officials supplied

with ample training by Regional Bureau, accordingly they should

work to address the teachers. The training rendered to school

principal is not quit enough. Extensive pertinent training targeted

to enhancing the skill of the teachers should be implemented.

2.7 Promoting good governance Good governance is the key to accomplish duties successfully.

It is also the token of democracy. Promoting good governance

17

should prevalent in all government bureaucracy. It should

implement at Regional, Woreda and school level.

The school is an ideal place to implement it practically.

Perceptible implementation of good governance is likely to bring

and maintain the quality of our education. The following

manifestations should be developed by the concerned government

bureaucratic chain:

Promoting accountability and Transparency.

Promoting mutual understanding.

Enhancing bureaucratic relation.

Willingness toward joint action and common good.

Establishing general consensus through discussion.

Impartiality on performing the entrusted duty.

Heed to the imperative need of the school.

Pragmatic resolution of problems.

Being true agents of development.

Willingness to implement the launched government policy.

2.8 Changing the awareness of the society

The role of the society in teaching- learning process is vital.

Changing the awareness of the society deemed as revitalizing our

education. Nobody attempted except NGOs (Non-governmental

organizations) who has financial capacity to engage with this task.

18

The woreda educational bureau doesn’t exert it self hitherto and

the school too. The followings are expected to enact deliberately:

Launching a campaign to teach basic education to all

localities for a short period at a convenient place and time

after the day class end or perhaps at week ends.

Involving the society in decision making process of the

school affairs and their child.

Preparing frequent arena of open discussion with Kebele

chair person and dwellers to consult about promoting the

quality of education.

Teaching the society the merit of learning and exhorting them

send young child school.

Noticing them that education is the day to day part of their

life.

Giving awareness that financial and material support to

students’ is important until the completion of schooling.

Convincing parents to refrain from compelling students

establish marriage while they are at learning.

Establishing joint front with parents to regulate the

recurrence absent of students from school.

19

2.9 Utilizing the material resources of the school

properly

Most of the time resources of our school doesn’t utilized

efficiently, this precipitated the damage and futile of resource. If

we frustrated to handle the resources we retain, it is impossible

bring remarkable change. Improper utilization of material resource

exacerbates the scarcity we are faced now. Pervasive wastage of

resources is one attribute of our school. For instance, we demand

additional text and reference books while dozens of books persist

destroyed in the store and the library. Obsolete materials such as

desks, blackboards, broken windows and doors, teaching aids, torn

books and other materials are not repaired or replaced properly.

Quality of education doesn’t exist by itself and not the out come of

single activity. If we commit ourselves to utilize the materials we

hold effectively, it is stepping one pace forward to enhance the

quality of our education.

2.10 consolidating educational and science experiment

center

One way of making education more conspicuous is the state of

practicing theories and ideas in scientism. The existence of well

equipped laboratory and educational center is crucial to facilitate

the normal flow of learning whereby raise the insight of students to

understand the subject matter in a broadly way. According to

20

current observations there is no laboratory for science experiment

in Halmo Primary and secondary school. Similarly the educational

center exists in our school is more symbolic than functional. The

lesson rendered in the class is not ample to entrench the central

theme of the subject matter in the students’ mind. How we

speculate to reap fruit from a field never planted. Owing to the

above mentioned devoid we foiled to enhance the quality of our

education. In order to achieve the common goal it is imperative

heed precedence to resolve our defects.

2.11 Enhancing the commitment of the teachers

If the entire necessary ingredient fulfilled, the power to implement

our policy is determined by our commitment. There are different

forms of commitment. The commitment anticipated from us is

perpetual and unwavering. Behind every success there is massive

commitment. In order to achieve the desired quality in our

education the outright staff should dedicate itself to bring progress.

Some of the followings are the manifestation of genuine

commitment:

Adequate preparation before presenting the day lesson. For

instance, preparing weekly and daily (if possible) lesson

plan, making precise and brief note, using elegant teaching

methods to enliven the lesson, preparing teaching aids and

scrutinizing the epicenter(central element) of the lesson.

21

Effective use of resource such as teaching aid, reference

and supplementary materials and time.

Docile to obey the rules and regulations of the school.

Forward thinking and creativeness.

Willingness to work jointly with colleagues and promoting

solidarity and mutual understanding.

Being precedent to students and the staff.

Punctuality on performing academic affairs.

Showing or having profound esteem to the profession.

Active participation in teaching-learning process and

decision making system.

Willingness to heed to the problems of the students and find

appropriate resolutions.

To play an edifying role to raise the result of students’.

Evaluating and assessing students’ properly and render them

a commensurate result to their skill.

Respect to the culture and belief of the society.

Dedication to implement the appropriate policy of the

government.

Contribute own part in the process of building a democratic

system.

Compatibility with topical issues.

High motivation to enhance one’s knowledge.

22

In order to recapitulate, enhancing and maintaining the quality of

our education eminently depend on our commitment.

3. Conclusions

Enhancing the quality of education is the sum of several activities.

The above discussed issues are the parameters affect our education

severely depend on our behaving. Maintaining the quality of

education is the responsibility of the downright society. The

responsibility of guiding the concerned bodies is mainly attributed

to us. Inducing competent and responsible citizens is the matter of

nation’s survival that should be kept incessant. Students are young

generations who are prepared to undertake the future foretasting

now in the school. We should realize that the development of our

country is accelerated by education. The more we maintain the

quality of our education the better our future bright.

23

Bibliography

1. Sherkole Primary and Secondary School 2006 Annual Report.

2. Sherkole Primary and Secondary School 2007 Annual Report.

3. Sherkole Primary and Secondary School 2008 Annual Report.

4. School Improvement Program frame work and implementation

document,1998.

5. Grade 8th and 9th 2009 attendance sheet of November and March

months.

6. Sherkole Woreda (district) Capacity building and Education office

2006 Annual report.

7. Sherkole Woreda (district) Capacity building and Education office

2007 Annual report.

8. Sherkole Woreda (district) Capacity building and Education office

2007 Annual report.

24