THE CONTRIBUTION OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION IN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF WEST GUJI ZONE, OROMIA.

<strong>ABSTRACT:</strong> The main purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of community participation in school improvement programs in Government secondary schools of West Guji area people zone, OROMIA. A total of 24 PTSA, 16 KETB, 48 teachers, 5 principals and Woreda education office experts have participated in the study. Of this 48 (12%) of teachers were chosen in simple random sampling; and 40(24 PTSA and 16 KETB), 5 principals and 5 cluster center supervisors were selected randomly. Both closed-and-open ended questions were administered to 48 teachers. Focus group discussion was conducted with 24 PTAs and 16 KETBs and interviews with 5 cluster center supervisors and 5 principals. Some documents were also reviewed. The finding of this study indicates that the status of community participation in the school improvement programs in secondary school was inadequate. And the contribution of PTSA was less and KETB participation was rare. The study also revealed that lack of training, lack of time and poor economic status, lack of understanding of roles and responsibilities, long distance and inconvenient meeting time, lack of commitment and willingness, lack of appreciation of overall objectives of education and lack of accountability on the part of PTSA and KETB members; due to lack of training were affecting community participation.