ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF PREPRIMARY SCHOOL PROGRAM IN SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF DEMBA GOFA WOREDA GOFA ZONE

<strong>ABSATRACT: </strong>The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of implementation of pre-primary school/“O-class” program in rural primary schools at Demba Gofa Woreda Gofa zone. The study used both qualitative and quantitative mixed approach, convergent triangulation research design and 63 respondents were participated in this study. The researcher used all purposive, simple random and available sampling techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed by using descriptive statics like frequency, mean, and standard deviation by applying SPSS version-20. The qualitative data obtained through interview categorized thematically and described verbally. The Finding of this study revealed that the implementation of “O-class” program were failed under environment, economic and cultural related challenges in government primary schools; the assessment of effectiveness were very low based on a number of challenges that hindered the implementation and the extent of implementation were too low in rural government primary schools. The study conclude that un favorable school environment, inappropriate buildings, lack of conducive classrooms, lack of enough budget and socioeconomic status of parents,’ lack of locally produced material, and organization of school environment not based on culture of the society, were challenges for effective implementation. The absence of indigenous materials and languages were found cultural related challenges and economic related challenges that hinder the implementation of”O class" program in government primary schools are parents low income, lack of supporter institutions and low budget allocation of local government. The study recommended that, the concerned bodies like pre-school teachers, principal’s, PTA, su pervisors, DGWEO and local government should working collaborate with others such as: volunteers, NGOs, parents and private investors to minimize the challenges to effective implementation of “O-class” program in selected primary schools of Demba Gofa Woreda.