Rawling Wondemneh Qualitative Research
Rawling Wondemneh Qualitative Research
Rawling Wondemneh Qualitative Research
BY
RAWLING WONDEMNEH
June, 2013
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ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY
This is to certify that the thesis prepared by Rawling Wondemneh, entitled: The Role of
Parent Teacher Association in Addis Ababa Secondary Schools: The Case of Entoto
Amba Secondary School, and submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Arts (Educational Research and Development) complies with
regulations of the university and meets the accepted standards with respect to originality
and quality.
Advisor: __________________________Sig.______________date______________
Examiner: ________________________Sig._______________date______________
(Internal)
Examiner: ________________________Sig._______________date______________
(External)
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Abstract
The Role of Parent Teacher Association in Addis Ababa Secondary Schools: The Case
of Entoto Amba Secondary School
Rawling Wondemneh
The purpose of this study was to examine the Role of Parent Teacher
Association (PTA) in Addis Ababa Secondary Schools. In the study, the
research design and approach was case study and qualitative respectively.
The participants of the study were ten. Two teachers, the directors, two
student, three parents and Quality Education Assurance Inspection Expert of
the Woreda’s Education Office (WEO). The participants and the study area
were selected using purposive sampling. The instruments for data collection
were interview, observation, document analysis and Focus Group Discussion.
Moreover to strengthen the study, different previous researches and published
related literatures were carefully reviewed. The discussion of this study
concentrated in examining PTA role and its implementation including more
focused ones, response of stakeholders and improvement of the association
after students involvement. The results show that PTA’s role in fund raising,
planning and monitoring was good. But its activities in maintaining school
discipline, answering questions, like preparing students’ café, was
insufficient. In addition PTA has worked with its stakeholders, but the
responses from them differ from one to another. Therefore to get good
response, PTA has to strengthen its relations with all parents, teachers and
students.
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Acknowledgements
I’m certain that the following acknowledgements do not include everyone who has
made contribution for the research. With apologies, I should like to thank my
advisor Dr. Wossenu Yimam for his instant, critical and constructive comments
throughout the study , all the research participants who gave me sufficient data, and
both my father and brother for their financial support.
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List of Abbreviations
AACAEB: Addis Ababa City Administration Education Bureau.
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2.7.1 Why do we need a PTA? .......................................................................................... 23
2.8 PTA related problems in school administration ........................................................... 24
2.8.1 Inadequate funding:.................................................................................................... 24
2.8.2 Inadequate facilities................................................................................................ 25
2.8.3 Lack of cooperation between the school authority and the parents...................... 25
2.8.4 Poor supervision of schools .................................................................................... 25
2.8.5 Poor academic performance ................................................................................... 26
2.9 Strategies to Strengthen the Roles of PTA ....................................................................... 26
2.9.1 Involvement of PTA in finance................................................................................ 26
2.9.2 Involvement of PTA in administration ................................................................... 27
2.10 PTA in Developing Countries ...................................................................................... 27
2.10.1 PTA in Ethiopia ..................................................................................................... 31
2.11 Parent Student Teacher Association (PSTA)............................................................... 32
2.11.1 Organization of PSTA ............................................................................................ 33
2.11.2 Structure of PSTA.................................................................................................. 35
Chapter Three: Research Method and Procedures .................................................................... 37
3.1 Method ........................................................................................................................... 37
3.2 Study Design .................................................................................................................. 37
3.3 Background of the study area and participants ............................................................ 37
3.3.1 Study Area ............................................................................................................... 38
3.3.2 Study Participants................................................................................................... 38
3.4 Source of Data ................................................................................................................ 39
3.5 Sample and Sampling Techniques ................................................................................. 39
3.6 Data Collection Instruments.......................................................................................... 40
3.6.1 Interview ................................................................................................................. 40
3.6.2 Observation ............................................................................................................. 40
3.6.3 Document Analysis check-list ................................................................................. 41
3.6.4 Focus Group Discussion .......................................................................................... 42
3.7 Data Collection Procedures ........................................................................................... 42
3.8 Method of Data Analysis ................................................................................................ 44
Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Interpretation......................................................................... 46
4.1 Brief history of the school ................................................................................................ 46
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4.2 Demographic characteristics of the participants .......................................................... 47
4.3. Reaction on PTA’s role implementation ....................................................................... 48
4.3.1 More focused PTA’s roles ....................................................................................... 51
4.3.1.1 Monitoring ............................................................................................................ 52
4.4 Reaction on stakeholders response .............................................................................. 55
4.4.1 Students .................................................................................................................. 55
4.4.2 Parents .................................................................................................................... 59
4.4.3 Teachers .................................................................................................................. 61
4.5 Improvement of the association after students involvement ....................................... 63
4.5.1 After class tutorials ................................................................................................. 63
4.5.2 Quotas for female students in clubs: ...................................................................... 64
4.5.3 Extending of library service time: .......................................................................... 65
4.5.4 Meeting experience for students: ........................................................................... 65
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation ....................................................... 67
5.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 67
5.2 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 71
5.3 Recommendations ......................................................................................................... 73
Appendices ............................................................................................................................... 79
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Chapter One: Introduction
1.1. Background of the Study
Its purpose, on the other hand, is to teach a student how to live his life by
developing his mind and equipping him to deal with reality. FDRE (1994:2) also
stated that the main objective of any educational system is to cultivate the
From recent years onward number of programs is designed and being implemented
to improve the quality of education throughout the country. Among them, General
Education Quality Improvement Program (GEQIP) is the major one. Under this
major program, other programs are also running in different phases to fulfill their
objectives.
MoE (2008) states the first phase project consists of the following components: (i)
Curriculum Text book and Assessment and Inspection (CTAI). (ii) Teacher
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grants. (iv) Management and Administration Program (MAP), including EMIS and
The same thing is true Parent Teacher Association (PTA), in its new name Parent
the Addis Ababa Administration Education Bureau organization and structure No.
3/February 2004 E.C the previous Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is replaced or
amended by the new Parent Student Teacher Association (PSTA). The preceding
one didn’t include students at all and more of its view had focused on schools
administration. In addition, it didn’t have a clear long and short term objectives.
Hence, the relationship between schools and society was not strong.
learned and also currently are learning in Entoto Amba Secondary School. But the
students seem like very reckless to their learning, and their behavior is a kind of
strange. When the researcher asks them suddenly about their parents’ role in the
school program, they don’t even remember that their parents attended Bi-annual
This indicates that the school’s Parent Teacher Association is not active in
mobilizing parents and bothering for the students learning and behavior as well.
teachers, students, parents and others with whom school workers untapped
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For cooperative activity Parent Teacher Association should have called the students
family members and dealt with different issues because as Chandler and Nita
as well as involving them in supporting school activities. Eyasu (2011) stated that
Parent Teacher Associations are one important ways for parents to support public
education and their local school communities cooperatively. Teachers are also the
crucial link in the partnership between school and parents. Every major study of
education has shown the importance of PTA roles and parents involvement in PTA.
general and at secondary schools in particular is essential. This study looked for
evaluating teachers and maintenance of school buildings and site. This informs that
studying on Parent Teacher Association together with the society is important for
education.
Education takes place not only in schools but also with in families, communities
and society. Despite the various degree of responsibility taken by each group, none
can be the sole agent to take full responsibility for children’s education as long as
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the children interact with the learning from the world outside their families (Bagin
the problem of teaching learning process. The PTA that is found in Addis Ababa,
Gullele sub-city, at Entoto Amba Secondary School has vital importance and also
between the school and the parents, discipline problems among students, the school
doesn’t have even the PTA guideline and the February 2004 E.C organization and
structure of PSTA. Since it doesn’t have the guideline and organization & structure;
the role of PTA might also not be implemented as well, and the response of the
stakeholders (Parent, Student, and Teacher) to the school’s PTA role might also be
weak.
In the earlier studies G/Michael (2006:59) found out that Parent Teacher
Kindaya Primary School in Tigray region. His findings showed that Teachers and
Directors disagree with the interference of parents. They accepted the involvement
alleviating disciplinary problem was low. Therefore, students were seen in breaking
The same thing is true Eyasu (2011:72) stated that Parent Teacher participation in
managing their respective schools and observing roles of PTA was not at desired
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level. As a result they had weak role on motivating the school communities,
G/Michael (2006) also observed that parents are not voluntary in encouraging girls’
In the previous studies contradictory findings were also seen. For instance, Jenberu
Eyasu (2011) are using the word (level) low, but Jenberu (2011) reported medium
level.
The difference between findings of previous studies might be the place where PTA
attempts to put its actions as much as possible, and in some other places the reverse
might be true. Besides the studies were conducted in different levels. Some of them
were in primary cycle, and some others were in secondary schools. The method
they have used, data gathering tools and characteristics of respondents might also
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parents through their representatives, teachers and students are expected to
participate in observing the roles of PTA. Participation in PTA to see its roles from
different aspects are low. This fact has also been confirmed by sub-city reports.
(Jenberu, 2011:5)
In the earlier system PTA was limited to school only, and it didn’t work a lot to
strengthen students result and behavior as well. Hence; in order to make the
teaching learning process strong, to make the result and the behavior of students
amended the new No. 3/February 2004 E.C Structure and Organization of Parent
Teacher Association (PSTA) based on the authority that was given to issue
guideline on proclamation No. 15/2001 E.C article 9(2) & 20 (6). Consequently
searching good aspects of the Association from being PTA to PSTA was one focus
of this study.
The general objective of the study is to assess the Role of Parent Teacher
b) Identify specific targets that the Parent Teacher Association focuses on.
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c) See the improvement of the association after including students and become
a) How does PTA implement its role in Entoto Amba Secondary School?
Association?
For the success of Parent Teacher Association role, the study mentions or proposes
different ideas. The ideas can be a solution for the development of Parent Teacher
Association’s performance and for the proper implementation of its duties in the
school to serve parents, and in particular students. Besides, the study would serve
The study looked at one secondary school in Addis Ababa at Gullele sub-city, in
spite of the fact that the city has 61 secondary schools. The study gave attention to
how does PTA perform its role in Entoto Amba Secondary School and the views of
students, parents and teachers to the Association. The study also focused on which
specific role of the PTA gets more attention and the improvement of the association
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from being PTA to PSTA. Those issues have been seen from 2001 E.C. up to 2005
In this study, however, very strong efforts have made in preparing instruments with
the help of an advisor and colleagues, the instruments might not gathered sufficient
data. Moreover, it is generally agreed that the validity of a research results increase
as the response of participants free from bias; however, for different reasons the
participants may not expressed their true experiences. Consequently, these could be
works for the improvement of the schools and the benefit of the pupils.
parents, teachers and students that are intended to facilitate parental participation
Secondary School: In the context it includes a cycle of both grades 9 and 10.
The paper has organized into five chapters. The first one includes the introductory
part of the research. Next after the first, intensive review of related literature is
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arranged and presented. The third one discussed about the research method and
procedures. Data analysis and interpretation are discussed in the fourth chapter. The
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Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature
In order to review on PTA’s roles in Secondary School, the obtainable literature
quality education. Its plan is totally to get rid poverty like Ethiopia’s this day plan
for rapid development to end poverty. MoE (2008:1) stated that Ethiopia is
currently implementing its Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End
Poverty (PASDEP). This strategic vision is one of rapid and sustained growth
targeted at eliminating the poverty traps that have hindered the development of the
country.
To have success in education in the near future, Ethiopia is doing best and watching
the beginning fruits as well. Social Development Direct (2011) stated that the
2015 and has a policy of inclusive education for all children. It has made significant
GEQIP has different objectives. Social issues and how these social issues get
solution including policies especially children education is among the major. Social
Development Direct (2011:1) said the main objective of the social assessment of
understanding of factors that exclude children from school and ‘to review and
Improvement Program (GEQIP) is ‘to review and understand the social context for
policies in Ethiopia and to suggest how social impact could be improved’ (Social
According to MoE (2008:4) the overall purpose of the GEQIP is to improve the
quality of general education throughout the country. Under this specific program
2.1.1 The School Improvement Program and the School Grant Program
To put GEQIP’s objectives properly these two programs, SIP and SGP are essential
instruments as Social Development Direct (2011:7) stated “They are key tools to be
According to MoE (2008:6) the objectives of the SIP component are to:
(i) Improve the capacity of schools to prioritize needs and develop a school
improvement
(ii) Enhance school and community participation in resource utilization decisions and
resource generation.
(iii) Improve the government’s capacity to deliver specified amounts of schools grants
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(iv) Improve the learning environment by providing basic operational resources to
schools.
Over the last three years many important lessons have been learnt through
implementation of the SIP in schools across Ethiopia. It was agreed that a new SIP
while also aligning existing SIP documents into one simplified guideline. Therefore
a very good understanding about the SIP guideline is essential. According to MoE
(2010) Directors of Primary and Secondary schools are expected to study the SIP
School Grant Program (SGP) is one element for GEQIP. It works with SIP to have
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educational management. Schools, which before such policies had very little or no
say about financial management, now receive grants directly from central
authorities.
school matters between the teachers and parents. PTA is the volunteer child
educators, students and other citizens active in their schools and communities
(PTA, 2007). This means, PTA is a strong advocate for public education, vital
resource for families and a power voice for children and youth.
In the context of Ethiopia PTA is a committee that consists of eleven members who
Eyasu, 2010:23)
PTA plays a significant role in all aspects of education, according to MoE (2002)
from rising resource to managing different school activities. In the 2002 guideline
also noted that the PTA is active in raising the awareness of general community on
increase access and reduce dropout. The school PTA is also accountable to the
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PTA is the volunteer advocacy organization in schools. It is a not-for-profit
association of parents, educators, students and other citizens active in their schools
and communities (PTA, 2005 in Eyasu, 2011:19). This means, PTA is a strong
advocate for public education, vital resource for families and a power voice for
Toby (2005 cited in Jenberu, 2011) defines PTA is a grass roots organization that
brings parents and teachers together so as to work towards improving the lives and
and students of the individual school and school system in order to devolve legal
PTA. In the same reference, create conducive environments for teaching learning
process and enhance parents and school so that it strengthens the involvement of
In addition to these Bagin and Gallagher (2001) suggested that the primary PTAs
purposes are to: raise the standards of home life, promote the welfare of the
children and youth in home, school and community and secure adequate laws for
the care and protection of children’s and youth. In the same reference, the
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following two are also listed in purpose of PTA to; develop between educators and
the general public such united efforts as will secure in physical, mental and
spiritual educations and to bring into closer relation the home-school so that
parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and
youth.
Ensure that teachers properly execute their teaching responsibility, support students
to foster good ethical value and ensure that teachers are teaching in accordance
with the interest, demand and rights of their students are functions and
school principal and teachers who failed to discharge their duties and
responsibilities and refer them to the Kebele Education and Training Board
According to the same reference, school PTA possesses the following three
functions and responsibilities. They are; Monitors how the programs of the school
are properly implicated according to the schedule and provide the necessary
support to the implementation of the decision together with the school management
and KETB, pursued students not to mismanagement their education and seek
solution along with parents to students who had already dropped out schools, and
giving advice for students with disciplinary problem or Punished those students
who couldn’t stop from wrong doings and submit a dismissal request to the
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Moreover, provides incentive to teachers and other staff members with an
Preparation of annual plan and doing the formulation of strategies and school
directives are another functions and responsibilities. Besides drawing plan and get
approval by the parent and teacher’s conference at the beginning of the academic
year and present the performance report in the middle and at the end of the year are
2011:25).
In addition to the above, G/Micheal (2006:25) has also listed both evaluate teachers
efficiency and initiate parents to send their child to the school as responsibilities of
PTA. Moreover, for the same reference, the following two are responsibilities of
the association. They are; motivate students not to drop out and find out solutions
with dropout pupil’s parent, and in collaboration with the directors, parents, and
and partner with other members of the school community to offer services to
families and share resources are three function and responsibilities of PTA. (Eyasu,
2011:20). Among many, the following three are also the associations function and
responsibilities. They are; conduct outreach to its members to determine the needs
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activities, and plan activities designed to attract and recruit more parents to build a
another one. Moreover, the following three are function and responsibilities of
PTA. They are; identify uses of concern and work with educators to address issues,
hold and support fund-raising activities to benefit the children and association, and
help to provide access to information and available educational resource to all the
body in the administration of the school. The main role of the PTA is to build a
strong relationship among parents and teachers in support of students, and its role
of varies from one country to another, state to state and district to district. Silver
autonomy in carrying out job assignments, the extent of vested authority over
schools across the country. It plays an integral role in how schools function. As
local and national organization of parent and teachers working together to improve
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the quality of education in a grass root level, involving parents in class room
room decision, promoting communication, events and fund raisers and even
important.
Nwakwo (1982) found out that the task of school administration include planning
Some researchers have submitted in their various studies that the PTA has however
fundraisers throughout the year. The money generated by these fundraisers may be
used to buy computers, sports or school uniforms, musical instruments for the band,
books and other classroom supplies and materials or to bring in cultural events.
through the PTA levy and personal donations for the support of the schools in the
Most PTAs raise money through event. They often hold one main event each
school term for example, a Christmas fair in the winter, a quiz in the spring, and a
summer fair. Other PTA events include school uniform sales, discos, firework
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displays, international evenings and many more. They are always looking for new
reported that the PTA complements governments’ efforts in the provision and
sometimes, PTA’s are not strong in generating money from different direction.
Parental support is critical factor in the success of the school and the cooperation
between teachers and parents to enhance the pupil’s performance. Effective parent
student’s development. When the teachers want to know a lot about students it’s
good knowing their parents because parents are a child’s first teacher, know a lot
about their child. Consequently along with their teachers play the largest and most
important roles in their education. Abdullahi (1996) also posited that the PTA
enhance understanding and good rapport between the teachers and parents; lobby
government for support in the schools; and curtail crises that often arise in the
schools.
In other dimension, Oniyangi in Alongue & Ekundayo (2012:17) agreed that the
PTA assists in improving the enrolment of the schools in their communities; help in
and cooperation between the school and the community. Oniyangi in Alongue &
Ekundayo (2012) also agreed that the PTA helps in sensitization and mobilization
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of parents on enrolment attendance and retention of their children or wards in
schools.
Parent-teacher association (PTA) plays an integral role in how schools function for
performing arts all help increase learning and proficiency. PTA organize, promote
and host such event, PTA also organize students and serves as chaperones for
curriculum and textbooks. Here, parents input are essential in such decisions and
the PTA serves as the liaison between parents and the administration.
festivals and cultural festival are examples of educational social events; it involves
more students and their families in the overall school environment. Social events
promote learning by teaching students and other to work together in teams to meet
shared goals.
These and other roles suggest that the PTA has been participating on matters
schools in the city have the PTA in place. Despite the laudable role of the PTA in
secondary schools appears, but the problems of the school thrive. Therefore the
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2.5.5 PTA for procedures
For different school organization and coordination of complex works, PTAs assist
develop procedures and protocols together with teachers and parents. When
children being given to school and taken up from school, protocols and procedures
manage how teachers, parents and students are doing it. To get comfortable and
free place from danger for children to get out from and get in to the school
The following are some of ways through which the roles the PTA can be
should be made members of boards and committees that related to rising and spending
of funds in the schools. For the same authors, there are several levies which are
collected in the schools (such as PTA levy, lesson fee, among other) in which
members of the PTA can be part of the spending team. The need for probity and
efficient utilization of the schools’ resources will make parents be willing to give more
Opportunities should be given to members of the PTA to take part in decision making
about school programmers. Hicks (1992) suggested, this may include being a school
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board member, participation on parent’s advisory committee. Areas in which parents
may be helping to make programmed decisions include goal setting, development and
confirmed many benefits are accrued for the school system and for parents themselves
In order to create a better mutual understanding and closer links between the school
and the community, members of the community as well as members of the PTA
should be involved in organized school events such as sports and other school
activities. Oniyangi (2008 cited in Alongue & Ekundayo, 2012:18) supported the idea
that school should make itself not only accessible to the community when community
development activities are organized but also participate fully whenever called upon to
do so. Local arts and crafts can be taught in schools but learning becomes more
profitable when such local experts are involved in the training of the skills to the
young ones.
Members of the community as well as members of the PTA who are experts in one
these are to be done. Akintelure (2007, cited in Alonge & Ekundayo, 2012) suggested
that if the construction of physical facilities in school are awarded to members of the
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2.7 Importance of PTA
PTA has importance in the education system. For the welfare of students, PTA
role in school of all countries; although they carry differ from country to country as
their powers also differ between countries. PTA can become building block of a
activities at school and at home, which may otherwise get neglected. With the
percentage of working PTA for the betterment of Child’s learning. (Jenberu, 2011).
In addition to this, Alongue & Ekundayo (2012:16) wrote that PTA fosters mutual
sponsors, and teachers in the fulfillment of the common goals of the school as well
as ensures a suitable, uniform and high standard of discipline both at home and at
It is actually a two-way process. Just as the parents would wish to know whether
the school management and teachers are doing a good job, the teacher themselves
would like to know more about the interests, aptitudes and social backgrounds of
the students. This helps them to understand their students better and cater to their
needs efficiently. The Parent Teacher Association not only helps create an amiabl
atmosphere for education. It in the long run endeavors to churn out children who
Many parents tend to think that their responsibility stops with admission of their
children in school and expect the rest to be followed up by the school authorities.
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With a PTA the parents realize what goes into the working of a school, the problems
faced by it and how they can be overcome with a little co-operation and participation
by parents. The Parent Teacher Association indirectly or directly helps improve the
life of students not only in school but also at home. The end result would be a united
effort to bring forth into society well educated and socially responsible students.
The effective administration of secondary schools could be hampered where the PTA
is not performing its roles as expected. A careful examination of the secondary school
system suggests that there are some problems bedeviling the PTA which have been
hindering effective and smooth relationship between the association and the schools
Inadequate funding is a major problem facing the educational institutions from the
primary level to the university level. Aghenta in Alongue & Ekundayo (2012:17)
remarked that the success of any educational system depends on the amount of
resources available to it. Money is an input of any educational system that provides the
essential purchasing power with which the system acquires its human and physical
inputs (Adepoju, in Alongue & Ekundayo, 2012:17). The author further argued that
with little supply of money, education becomes helpless, while with ample supply, its
problems become manageable even though they do not vanish. However, Ajayi (1999)
observed that the major problem that compounds schools’ financial inadequacy is
irregular payment of school fees and PTA levy; and inadequate financial support of
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the PTA. It is believed that money generated through this medium would help
facilities to aid teaching and learning. Alongue & Ekundayo, (2012:17) meanwhile, the
2.8.3 Lack of cooperation between the school authority and the parents
It has been observed that some school principals do not involve the parents in
administration of the schools for the fear of being criticized. Fehrman, Keith and Reiners
in Alongue & Ekundayo (2012:17) argued that most parents would like to play a more
active role in their students’ progress in schools and decision making about school
programmers but school administrators/ principals and teachers exhibit a great reluctance
in school governance, most often than not, results in lack of cooperation between the
school and the parents which invariably limits the extent to which the schools can
perform.
According to Abiodun-Oyebanji in Alongue & Ekundayo (2012:18) schools are not well
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categorized the supervisors of schools into: (i) internal supervisors-the within-the school
supervisors-the outside-the school supervisors in which the PTA is part. The primary
responsibility of the supervisors is to see that schools are run in accordance with the laid
down regulations.. The negligence of this area of responsibility seems to hinder effective
One of the major obstacles to the development of secondary education is the persistent
mass failure of students in public examinations. Some of the reasons adduced for this
provide necessary materials for their children; parents aiding examination malpractices
among others. Ajayi & Ekundayo (2010 cited in Alongue & Ekundayo, 2010:18). For the
same authors, the above are some of the problems bedeviling the secondary school
system in which the PTA has been found wanting. This appears to be a reason why many
countries are turning to private schools as alternatives to the failing public schools.
The following two are the ways through which the roles of the PTA can be strengthened
PTA has done a lot. The need for probity and efficient utilization of the schools’
resources will make parents be willing to give more financial assistance to schools.
26
Alongue and Ekundayo (2012:18) PTA should be made members of boards and
committees that relate to rising and spending of funds in the schools. For the same writer
there are several levies which are collected in the schools (such as PTA levy, lesson fee,
among others) in which members of the PTA can be part of the spending team.
Members of the Parent Teacher Association take part in decision making about the
schools educational plan and assisting programmed activities. According to Cotton and
Wikelund (2001) many advantages are accrued for the school system and for parents
PTA is a powerful association affiliated with many schools that are found across
both developing and developed countries. It is a huge and very influential nation
with state and local affiliates throughout the country and promotes different roles in
include
Paying regular visits to the schools to monitor children and teachers performance
Authorities.
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Developing countries are mostly in problems in different issues. These countries'
educational polices and curriculum can be an example. The same thing is true PTA
in developing countries has disputes in its roles. Dunne (2007) wrote that in many
educational systems in developing countries there are tensions and conflicts in the
roles of PTA. Ramani and Zhimin (2010) point out that role conflict involves real
who are interdependent in social systems. The state of secondary schools in Nigeria
suggests that there are still some problems facing the school in which the PTA had
been found wanting. These include inadequate financial support of the PTA to the
The historical development of PTA in both the developed and developing countries
is partly linked to school board of governors failures and partly due to the need for
extra financial support from the local community for school development (Hurt,
1985). In some developing countries PTA had been formed in the Policy of
1998. It assumed that it was set up to raise extra funds for school development,
however, later on there seems to be a growing feeling that BOGs are politically
elected and therefore are not the right forum to address the interest and needs of
parents and the community in general. For this reason PTA has been seen in a
28
better choice. Macbeth (1990) has identified six purpose of a parental association
but warns that they may conflict in their roles such as to:
Foster educational partnership between home and school for the benefit of children.
In many developing countries PTA look for funds, different events, meeting in
representing students. Yahie, (2000) wrote that the PTAs forum therefore affords
parents and teachers an opportunity to socialize and raise funds. In addition PTA is
developing countries too. According to Iqbal & Tatlah, (2011) In Punjab province,
Pakistan in public schools, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is responsible for the
management roles, it also plays a significant role in monitoring funds. The aim is to
educational affairs.
For parents and teachers, in Nigeria, PTA is backed by law in some states making it
mandatorily pay levies agreed by the association for their wards attendance in that
Enaohwo and Eferakeya (1989 cited in Chima, S. Ugulashi, 2012) noted that in
29
public schools it is not well practiced and needs to be discouraged especially where
PTA arrogates themselves powers meant for Board of Governors, usually appointed
learn from best practices. Economic, human and social sustainability are also very
workshop for teachers, students, parents and other community members. Social
sustainability, on the other hand, includes involving the entire community from the
Generally the roles of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Secondary Schools
in developing countries still have some obstacles facing each year. These include
problem of working between the schools and the parents, financial problems, less
secondary school level; a question of ‘How the roles of the PTA can be
strengthened’ is raised.
30
2.10.1 PTA in Ethiopia
Traditionally the church and the mosque were the institutions that provided
(Muhidin, 2010:1). Modern education brings advantages to the country from early
20th century onwards. Now a day’s PTA is part of this modern education and
performing its role in all schools to offer student the best environment possible for
academic success. Before two decades ago, PTA mostly focused on administration
issues rather than teaching and learning process and the organization of the
association could not strengthen the relationship between the society and the
school. In order to solve this problem, Jenberu (2011:45) suggested PTA must be
are different duties and responsibilities for PTA to properly manage schools. One
of it is preparation of its own plan of action and gets them approved by parents
teachers conference at the beginning of the academic year and submit to school
principals and follow its implementation and report its performance at the middle
In the study in southern part of Ethiopia, Morgan (2006) wrote PTAs have the
power to help evaluate teachers and even play a role in their dismissal if they fail to
perform. This indicates that PTA has power in performing its role. The same author
added that most PTA members and many parents and students were confident in
31
attending teacher conferences, and monitoring children’s studies and school
attendance effectively. In addition, it appears that parents on the PTA are more
active in school management and wield greater decision-making power than parents
who are not on the PTA. This is logical, given their mandate to represent the larger
occasionally begins and ends with the parent PTA officers who do not regularly
We have to note that in collaboration with parents, teachers and students, PTA can
attendance can be simple example. The collaborations can ensure greater safety
traveling to and from school, which has been a problem in some Ethiopian areas
prone to abduction of girls for marriage. But in another direction PTA is not
PTA need not be involved in the classroom that’s what the teachers and department
To make the society good participant in educational work, especially parents, PTA
had been established. But the association didn’t include students and it didn’t have
clear short and long term objectives and focused on administrative issues rather
doesn’t include the benefits of the school society. Therefore schools lost most of
their benefits that was supposed to get from the parents and society. And schools
32
The previous association (PTA) was only limited in schools. To improve the
teaching learning process, students result and their behavior it is approved that
city, sub-city, woreda and school level. Consequently the Addis Ababa City
2004 E.C. Structure and Organization of Parent Teacher Association (PSTA) based
on the authority that was given to issue the guideline on proclamation No. 15/2001
This committee is responsible for school’s PSTA and organized in the following
way:
b) Their work duration would be 2 years. And if their execution of work is best they
33
a) PSTA’s School Board executor committees would be PSTA School Board
a) PSTA School Board executor committee that is found in every woreda will be
a) PSTA School Board executor committee that is found in every cub-city will be
6. PSTA School Board in every level would establish the following subcommittee.
d) Peace and students’ security subcommittee. Here number of committees and its
34
2.11.2 Structure of PSTA
a) It would be students’ parent 3-6, one chairperson, one vice chairperson and other
members.
c) Teacher…………………………………….2 secretary.
d) Student…………………………………….1-2 member.
would be members.
c) Teachers………………………………….2/member/
d) Student…………………………………..1-2/member/
would be members.
35
c) Teachers………………………………..2/member/
d) Student…………………………………1-2/member/
would be members.
b) Quality assurance of education main work progress and vice head of institutional
structure………1/secretary/
c) Teachers…………….2 members.
d) Student…………….1-2 member
36
Chapter Three: Research Method and Procedures
3.1 Method
The qualitative way of researching was utilized in the study area. This way of researching
tries to explain Why? In what way? and How? questions and attempting to increase
understanding of why things are the way they are in our social world and why people act
the way they do. As Beverly (1998:2) define Qualitative Research is concerned with
roles of PTA in Entoto Amba Secondary School was tasted in qualitative study.
Case Study research is used to describe an entity that forms a single unit such as a person,
an organization or an institution (Beverly, 1998:6). In addition, to use the case method for
Since the study investigated the focus of PTA role in secondary school, a qualitative case
study design can be suitable to this study. To this end one secondary school was selected
Some background of the study area and the participants, having relation to the research
problem was discussed below. The researcher has good understanding about the nature of
the study area and participants and got arranged line for the study.
37
3.3.1 Study Area
The study area was one school in Addis Ababa city at Gullele sub city called Entoto
Amba Secondary School, became secondary school in 2000 E.C. The site is found on the
way to the north of Addis Ababa, where a very big open market and number of traditional
cloth and souvenirs shops are found. It is also surrounded by embassies, governmental
According to the researcher’s private experience, numbers of students have been learning
in the school. When the researcher talked to them about their parent’s role in the program
they don’t even remember that their parents attended semester students’ award
ceremonies. Besides they do seem like very careless to their learning and they are a kind
of notorious. On the other hand the role of PTA in the school hasn’t ever been studied by
any researcher.
The participant of the research were identified and approached by deliberate choices.
Selecting suitable secondary school and information rich participants have been selected
by purposive sampling method, considering that the participants have direct contact and
enough information with the research problem. According to Cohen (2005:103) the
sample has been chosen for a specific purpose, for example: a) a group of principals and
senior managers of secondary schools in chosen as the research is studying the incidence
of stress amongst senior managers. For the same authors (b) a group of disaffected
students has been chosen because they might indicate most distinctly the factors which
contribute to students’ disaffection. Therefore, two teachers, the directors, two student,
38
three parents and the Woreda’s Education Office (WEO) Quality Education Assurance
While deciding about the method of data collection to be used for the study, the
researcher should keep in mind two types of data (Kotari, 2004:95). For the study, both
Primary and secondary data were obtained; however, the main source of information was
the primary one. Parents, teachers, students and principals were the primary source of
data that was original in character; and Documents (minutes, annual plans, and official
From 61 secondary schools found in Addis Ababa, 6 of them are found in Gullel sub city.
Among them, Entoto Amba Secondary School was selected purposefully. Here
investigation was conducted by using persons that have direct contact with the research
problem. So the sampling had deliberately selected participants who have enough
Total number of participants was ten. From the total of 138 teachers (108 male and 30
female) two of them, among them one is PTA committee member; from the total of 2290
students (1182 male and 1108 female) that are found in grades 9 and 10 two of them,
among them one is students representative for PSTA and the other is voluntary worker in
traffic police union; from the total of 7 PTA committee members, two of them who are
Parents representative for PTA, and one extra parent who has two students learning in the
39
school; the school director, the vice director, and the Woreda’s Quality Education
In the study primary and secondary data were obtained, but the primary one was the
major information source. The data was collected with the help of Interview,
3.6.1 Interview
In qualitative case study, interviewing is a major source of data needed for understanding
the phenomena. Under study the researcher was the facilitator of all ten person-to-person
enable participants address maters in their own words and terms. This is more desirable
personal interview method requires a person known as the interviewer asking question
generally in a face-to-face contact to the other person or persons. (At times the
interviewee may also ask certain questions and interviewer responds to these, but usually
Before interview, an arrangement and schedule was prepared in advance. Then after; the
school directors, teachers, students, parents, and the woreda’s Quality Education
3.6.2 Observation
When the observer observes as a detached emissary without any attempt on his part to
40
2004:96). The observational method relies on a researcher’s seeing and hearing things
and recording these observation which is difficult getting data via interviews. The
researcher spent a couple of months in the school for observation. At the time of
observation notes were taken and first hand information of the condition was taken based
on the four basic questions. The researcher didn’t prepare observation checklist.
Therefore, the basic questions that were found in the researcher’s mind were used as a
guide list.
Here, it is possible to say that the researcher’s direct observation and sense organs were
helping instruments to collect data without asking participants each and every thing.
Kothari (2004:96) wrote under the observation method, the information is sought by way
of investigator’s own direct observation without asking from the respondent. For the
same author, the investigator instead of asking the brand of wrist watch used by the
For better understanding of what is real in the school, in qualitative case study document
sources are the major data collection tools. As Merriam, 1988 cited in G/Micheal
(2006:31) confirmed documentary sources is one of the data collection instruments of the
qualitative case studies. To have information related to the role of PTA in the school,
minutes, annual plans of the association and different documents were assessed under the
study with the help of document analysis checklist having sex different items with yes or
no columns.
41
3.6.4 Focus Group Discussion
To get in-depth information about the role of PTA, FGD were conducted with six (6)
students, among them one is students’ representative for PSTA. For the study, necessary
arrangements were taken about the researcher’s assistant who facilitated the discussion
and the discussants schedule. Muhidin (2010) wrote that the purpose of the FGD was to
supplement and enrich the information that was collected through observation and
interview. Wellington (1996) stated a focus group discussion among a number of small
initiating all discussants for active participation FGD were made in the school.
The numbers of participants were six. As Dornyei (2007) stated the size of a focus group
should be arranged between 6-10 people. Therefore six participants were comfortable for
the discussion.
Before the actual study was started, the researcher confirmed that the proposal of the
study and review of related literature got finished. Then a necessary revision was made
on the interview questions. The revision was based on the feedback obtained from school
director, school vice director, department heads, Woreda Education Office and PTA
members who were not included in the same area. Then after the main consideration of
the researcher was judging the participants who could provide sufficient information.
Therefore teachers, the director, students, woreda education expert and parents were
identified for interview. During the interview time 20 interview items related to school’s
response, PTA roles, stakeholders reaction and students involvement in PTA had been
conducted.
42
Moreover, the researcher planned and done using observation, document analysis and
FGD. Document analysis was made from school documents. The school documents show
At last investigation, analysis and interpretation were done. The data that were collected
and reported. The participant name was replaced by code. Hence through discussion of
To assure the quality and minimize the feebleness in a study, using different data
of the study was maintained. In the study, data collection instruments; interview and FGD
were supported by observation and document analysis check-list to confirm the validity
of the data. Triangulation is a qualitative cross validation that assesses the sufficiency of
the data according to the convergence of the multiple data collection procedures
(Wiersman, 1995)
To assure the reliability of the data, the data was collected by the researcher using
different source of data at the right time and place of getting teachers, students, principals
and parents to achieve the desired level of accuracy. In addition, all interview questions,
questions for discussants and data analysis check-list have been seen by the advisor and
colleagues.
43
Ethics of the Research
The researcher has carefully collected his data by avoiding careless error and negligence.
Serious steps of research activities like design of the study, selection of participants and
data collection were done. Besides with big respect and responsibility to students equally
like teachers, principals and parents, data collection was done with them. During data
collection time, the researcher was polite and initiates participants at the interview time
for the sake of the study and assured to all participants that identifying information will
never be made available to anyone who is not directly involved in the study. Hence the
informants, especially students and parents, agreed to participate and not to withdraw
In the study, qualitative analytical procedures were employed. The researcher organized
the data at first and analyzed using words derived from interviews, notes from
observation, documents and FGD. Cohen (2005:282) noted that once data from the
interview have been collected, the next stage involves analyzing them.
Sequences of interview and FGD with participants, because of consent with participants,
were not recorded in either audiotape or video recorder. Hence, the researcher and the
research assistant has done best not to miss participants’ idea and explanation especially
on particular issues. After using open ended question for asking general question and
developing analysis, the interview was carefully translated from Amharic to English
language. Moreover, observed issues were summarized forthwith, after leaving the
school. The researcher included his own interpretation and understanding of the data
found in the study. Hence, specifying main information has been described.
44
The researcher has no system for pre coding. Labling or coding every item of information
for recognizing differences and similarities between several items were done. Not to
reduce, to keep and to avoid surplus report of the research, the researcher has not started
analyzing data separately. Interpretations were involved exploring the findings answering
the ‘what’ questions. Here there were categorized direct quotation and developed
generalization.
The written transcription was organized and categorized. Data reduction was done by the
researcher and displayed for the participants. The reduced data, both hard and soft copy,
was given for interested participants who want to read it. Therefore, it was given for the
director, vice director, teachers’ representative for PTA and one parent. And then they
confirmed that what they have read is the same as what they had said. Finally conclusion
45
Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Interpretation
In this section of the study, analysis and interpretation of data gathered from the four
FGD, observation and data analysis on the roles of Parent Teacher Association are
described and have been synthesized. The information that was gathered allows two
different but interrelated big groups to be seen. These groups are: 1) Implementation of
PTA’s roles including more focused ones and 2) Stakeholders response for PTA and
students involvement in PTA’s. In this section of the study, the school history and
Entoto-Amba Secondary School started teaching in Ethiopian calendar on April 10, 1942
by a name Amha-Desta with a total of 250 students and 5 teachers. For the teaching
learning process in the school, 6 classes were ready. On November 26, 1944 E.C Students
Association was formed for the first time by electing president to the association. In the
same year the school’s first news paper called ‘Nika-Tibeb’ was printed.
On July 1, 1944 E.C the school was visited by Emperior Haile Sellase the I. After
emperor’s visit to the school, the number of students getting increase and reached to 480
and the opening of a library become true. Emperor’s second visit to the school in 1947
forced the school to form Parent Committee. And with the effort of the committee 10 new
classes had been built. In addition to this 10 extra classes were built with the help of
46
The school got its 2nd new name ‘Shiro-Meda Primary School’, following the coming of
Durg regime. After 5 years of having the name ‘Shiro-Meda’, it also got its new name
The school has been serving by 19 directors since 1942 E.C and the 20th one is now on
work. Entoto-Amba becomes secondary school in 2000 E.C and teaching a total of 2295
students in regular and extension programs with 138 teachers and 50 class rooms.
Participants profile is presented in this part. Both principal participants, the Director and
the vice Director, aged 49 & 27, there educational background is Degree & Master
Degree, and they have 29 and 5 years of work experience respectively. Two of them are
married and at the discussion they are coded as D1 & D2 to represent director 1 and
director 2. Besides woreda 1 quality education assurance inspection expert aged 35 and
his academic background is 2nd year Masters Degree student, and a total of 10 years work
Academic background of teacher participants are degree and their marital status is single.
They aged 33 & 27 and have 10 & 6 years experience in teaching profession respectively.
The first teacher is teacher representative of PTA. For the discussion part, they are given
a code of T1 & T2 to represent the first teacher and the other one.
The number of parent participants was three males. Among them the first two are parent
representative for PTA. Three of them are married, aged 51, 60 and 39. Government
employee since 1985, 1979 and 1986 E.C respectively. There educational background is
47
diploma from private college, but the 3rd one has a certificate. During discussion period,
Student participants are a girl and a boy, grades 10 & 9 respectively. The first one is a
member of the association and the second one is voluntary traffic police club member. In
terms of their age, they are 17 & 16 and they are represented, at the discussion time, S1 &
S2.
Based on the nature of the information gathered from the participants, the researcher
and D2, replied that cooperatively work with the school’s PTA to put roles of PTA into
action. Furthermore, members of PTA said that they collaboratively work with school
directors about school educational plan which is the most fundamental activity to fulfill
social responsibilities effectively. They also added, together with the school directors,
they prepared common operational plan. Moreover, informants, P1 and P2 explained that
they effectively applied roles of PTA gradually and help for the development of
education and leading the school in a coordinated work. Besides they work closely to
implementation.
Regarding the implementation of PTA’s role, D1 and D2 point out that they strengthen
the efficiency of the association from one year to another and decided to increase its
performance of implementing the roles in any new year. For the same participants,
burning grade 10 students uniform at the end of year in front of the school gate has seen
four years ago for two consecutive years. But this is an ordinary history now with a
48
strong work of the association together with teachers to fulfill one of PTA purpose called
assist teachers closely to avoid their students’ problem and to provide psychological and
academic support, furthermore, assist the relationship between them should be disciplined
and academic.
In addition, participant P1 and P2, who were parent representatives of PTA, reported that
they plan to motivate all students in collaboration work with PTA. The school director
and PTA’s members said that they meet once a month regularly and if mandatory thing
has come, they might call a meeting with in short period of time. From this what we do
understand is that according to directives of the Ministry of Education both PTA and
Participant D1 informed that his office works cooperatively with Parent Teacher
Association members of the school on problems of mutual concern. In addition the office
encourages open discussion on meeting i.e. to contribute their idea and suggestion all
members feel free and their viewpoints as possible could be expressed and discussed.
implementation, parents strengthen the interaction between the school directors and PTA.
Besides they form a strong bond to keep role implementation properly to accomplish
“For the implementation of PTA roles the WEO has done its best throughout the year in
different aspects” participant WE1 said, and continued “our office has stressed on a
participant decision making in many schools issues. Penalizing teachers who are out of
line can be simple example. We penalize them if the case is referred to us from the
49
school.” Besides he added “We let them to share ideas in any regular meeting and control
them democratically in working with us” In relation with the PTAs’ contact with WEO,
there is a level. WE1 said, “PTAs’ are responsible to our office and we are also
responsible to sub-city offices. So since the PTAs’ are responsible to our office, we
investigate them whether they are working properly or not based on guideline.”
But to the contrary there is different attitudes and opinion concerning school’s
involvement for the implementation of PTA roles. The FGD that was taken with students
revealed that they don’t properly know what all roles of PTA are and what is expected
from them. In a discussion with them one discussant announced that “Indeed I saw
parents at the day of taking report card, but I haven’t ever invited my parents to attend the
semester students award ceremonies and they themselves haven’t ever seen the school
compound. Therefore my initiation for the implementation of PTA roles, even to give
PTA’s invitation paper to my family is not done.” Furthermore other FGD discussant said
“I don’t even know, one or two, what roles of PTA are. Hence since I don’t even know
the roles, what my reaction would be for PTA roles implementation? It must be nothing.”
Another FGD discussant on the same date said “I don’t agree with students participation
for the implementation of school’s PTA roles. Because what do we (students) know about
it and how do we know what is expected from us? If we think more about PTA, we might
feel unusual feeling. They (PTA) must work for us.” On the other hand participant S1
said “students should be involved in many activities such as attending PTA conference
50
and in fund raising activities.” And he added “it is better not to involve students in some
risk full roles. Because, I believe, we are not matured enough.” (FGD on April 8, 2013)
WE1 asserted that since our objective is to create conducive environment for teaching
learning flow and creating responsible citizen that hold all society for quality education,
we have to follow each and every stapes of the association from near distance. For
instance giving training for PTA members by organizing workshop let them to get
adequate knowledge how to put PTA’s roles into action can be simple example.
Here, even if participant WE1 said that training is given, the researcher confirmed
through document analysis by checking PTA minutes, annual plans and official letters
that the PTA members haven’t ever given trainings by the Woreda Education Office
through workshops. In FGD time with students, one of the discussants said we have given
task to inspect old and new material resources including how much money each of them
costs and how its quality as comparing with the cost is. Participant S1 said due to time
In order to create a better mutual benefits and closer links between the school principals,
members of the PTA, teachers and students; Parent Teachers Association gives attention
for some roles. When the researcher searched monthly PTA minutes and official letters,
most agendas were talking about financial strengthen of PTA on how to organize and
51
arrange different money raising ways. In addition, development and implementation of
arranged events and the involvement of the association to monitor programmed decisions
4.3.1.1 Monitoring
Monitoring teachers and students are performed in the school. PTA ensures that teachers
are teaching in accordance with the interest, demand, and rights of students. D1 said
monitoring teachers whether they are conducting the lessons in accordance with or
monitoring how the programs of the school are properly implemented by the school
teachers according to the schedule. In addition to this D1 added opportunities are given to
take part in decision making about school programmers including goal setting,
Participant T1 also shares the idea of D2 and added, since schools are highly attached
with time, PTA’s controlling teachers whether they are on proper time schedule or not is
expected. Participant T2 said I know that proper use of weakly and annual lesson plan are
good to coincide the lesson with time. So when the PTA monitor that teachers are
conducting the lesson on time or not I use the plans as an evidence of time management.
S1, who is student representative for the association, has similar idea with teachers and
principals. He said “since PTA has a role of advising students with disciplinary problem,
it monitors and give advice for students not to create obstacles on the teaching learning
52
4.3.1.2 Financial strength
By organizing and managing different fund raising systems, PTA would take important
more desirable. It also inspects the school finance. In line with government policy to
encourage NGOs to support vulnerable groups participate in education, there are many
NGO’s that work to alleviate the challenges to education and to intervene with assisting
in the provision of facilities and amenities in order to assist in supporting the retention of
students in schools. T1 and T2 agreed that schools are funded by the government and in a
that the school obtained school finance from different sources including donations from
abroad. D1 and D2 said in its long history, South Korea, U.K and Sweden did help the
school. Concerning the NGO financial contribution to the school, the two school
principals inform that in the near past in appreciation of the Korean War (1950-53)
veterans from Ethiopia, the Dong Yang and World Vision Korean are pleased and
In relation with this, D2 announce that, the school is donated birr 50 x each students
every year. Mostly if the donated money is for teaching learning purpose, it can put to
buy any materials like computers, furniture or other urgent materials that helps for the
teaching learning process. But if it is directly for specific purpose, it must only put for the
Participant P1 and P2 informed that grass sale, sales of very old desks, hall rent for
Marshal Commando trainers, preparing lotteries are all very good for financial strength of
the school. T2 informs that money also collected from individual students after parents of
53
students decided to give limited amount of money in public meetings. D2 informs that the
usual amount of money from each student is 70 birr. But from this year on wards it
becomes 80 birr. The reason for students contribution in school’s finance was that
participant D2 asserted that students get a chance to have the school resource.
P3 explained by saying “I have two students learning in the school. So I used to pay the
limited amount of money. The school finance used to repair classrooms, to buy
equipments like sockets used for plasma that was detached from the wall by unknown
students. P3 added when the two new G+4 buildings built with government budget and
the community participation, I did contribute. Because my first born daughter was a
student of the school. I believe, he continues, due to the contribution of the community
and fund from the government equipments and teaching materials are adequate.
Parents recognized that, the school needed financial resources and they wanted to support
the schools. P3 explained, by giving them “whatever they (the school staff) need.” the
inform that sometimes some teachers reminded us to contribute the usual money, and if
we don’t bring it they forced us to call parent. P3 added the contribution shouldn’t have
been mandatory. Sometimes we don’t have the money to pay. “Our financial problem is
getting high due to both inflation of birr and government inability to keep up with the
P1 and D2 agreed, despite there is a problem related to cash contributions, parents should
respect PTA’s question by contributing money to hold the feeling of ownership and love
54
for the school. D1 and WE1 remembers PTA give more emphasis for financial
strengthen. So “we inspire parents to contribute money for the good of the school”
Development Direct: 2011). Since PTA is part of the community and commit different
activities for the development of education in the school, its stakeholders (students,
4.4.1 Students
In the school, based on the information collected, students are not ready to show positive
response to association. All the participants in FGD and Participant S1 and S2 have
agreed on the absence of students initiation to help or work with the association.
Students often times refused to call their parents for meeting when they are informed or
given the invitation paper. Participant S2 confirmed that “sometimes some students throw
away or tear it out the invitation card in a moment of receiving.” To strengthen this,
student discussants involved in FGD revealed, it is possible to say that students are not
willing full for accepting and holding the school’s PTA roles. Unwise use of pipe water
can be simple example. And they added treating the compound grasses and flowers,
unlike the effort of PTA, is done very recklessly. Besides almost all books that are found
inside the library got loose of pictures, tables and the likes from its page and they wrote
something on it which is wired. In relation with the response of students, the collected
data shows, most of them are opposite to PTA’s effort. Participant S2 agreed that when
55
students take a lesson in the laboratory, had the laboratory tools and chemicals not been
kept nearly by the teachers, it wouldn’t have been safe from distraction of the students.
PTA has been doing its best in making the fence of the school very good. WE1 said we
used to see whether the fences are properly fit or not. Our office believes that when the
school compound is secured, students do not be exposed for truancy. But students
digging or detaching the fences here and there and get it ready for truancy. When the
fence repaired with the effort of PTA, disturbance students again make it useless. The
researcher observes that students response for PTA effort was answered by jumping over
the fence and detaching the fence. In addition to this, according to annual plan of the
school’s PTA, keeping the cleanness of the school compound with the help of students is
the one among many. But to the contrary the researcher observed that a lot of students
Participant WE1 remembered that in education work, increasing the awareness of the
society and creating good sprit among the society in different lower levels is one of the
responsibilities of the WEB. Therefore, he continues, the office advice the society in
different meetings and workshops to see changes in practical situations. But to the
contrary the researcher observed that video houses that are found in near places of the
school do not deter students entering to the video houses wearing the uniform. Indeed,
based on the researcher’s observation, one among nine video houses prohibits entering of
students wearing uniform. WE1 condemned students entering to the video houses
wearing a uniform and considered as if they did great. (Interview with WE1 on April 29,
2013)
56
Some students do not attend class after arriving in the school compound. One of the
school’s PTA annual goals is creating awareness of attending class in the learning time.
That’s why selected teachers control students that are arrived in the compound but not
attending class. The selected teachers have a whistle and call students sitting afar from
classes or moving here and there by whistling the whistle. S2 said students do know this
specific PTA goal, but do not want to attend class. They ran to other side of the
compound when they hear the whistle sound. FGD participants said students who do not
attend class are given a warning orally to attend class immediately. If they don’t attend
class they are given a piece of paper having a stamp of the school to call their parents.
Those who accept oral warning leave the school by jumping over the fence and those
who have taken written warning, give the paper to their friends or to an unknown person
who is not their parents or family member. The FGD participants continues, then the one
who took the paper come to the school and act as if he/she is family member of the
concerned students. S1 strengthen this, the ups and down of PTA in supporting students
to foster good ethical value, which is the major responsibility of PTA, ignored by
students. S1 also commented on ignored wearing style of some female students uniform.
He said they ignored large number of students and wear trouser uniform like male
Giving advice for disciplinary students, Participant S1 said, is one of functions of PTA.
But those who receive advice from the PTA repeat what they did promise not to do. The
same participant added late comers are always take advice by PTA members. But their
response for the advice is fruitless. They again and again come lately. During the data
collection time the researcher observed students came lately. Besides to this, S1 said,
57
plasma sockets that are attached for the teaching process are detached and the wires
become useless. S1 confirms by saying “it is possible to say that all plasmas found in the
school do not function.” This is also observed by the researcher. In addition to this, S2
strengthen, some students forget PTA’s advice and come to school having drunk again.
In relation with this asking assistance when students face difficulties in the school is
supported by the PTA. But discussants in FGD revealed that a year ago one grade 9
student create a quarrel with a teacher inside the class room while the teacher is dictating
students and he beat the teacher seriously and he was going to throw down from 3rd floor.
In this year, when the researcher started gathering data, two students do not need
assistance form PTA members but fought each other and one was highly injured by small
dagger and loss a lot of blood and taken to the hospital when his fighter was brought to
custody. When the data ended the researcher confirmed that the one who hurt by small
dagger take a penalty of one year and six months. This indicates that, S1 concluded, how
One of the school’s annual PTA plan is creating citizens who believe in equality of
gender and protecting female students from harm. Students in FGD revealed that some
male students use the word ‘acid’ in front of female students to use the word as a tool of
frightening. The FGD also revealed that some male students are not interested to be
ordered by female traffic police by the gate of the school. This shows that, S2 concluded
the idea; some male students of the school are still not good in believing gender equality.
58
4.4.2 Parents
Parents positive response to the PTA is highly important. Document analysis showed that
the PTA’s monthly minutes appreciated parents response positively. Some of them are
rewarded a certificate and some others are given gifts for their strong involvement in
PTA. Parent are expected to have direct involvement and feel a sense of owner ship.
Their response in reality is often limited to a certain people. It is the parents or relatives
attending teacher conferences, and monitoring their students’ studies and school
attendance.
Alfred Marshal (1920:172 cited in Labanda (1985:1) said as years pass on, the child of
working man learns a great deal from what he sees and hears going on around him. The
act of passing on knowledge from one generation to the other is the role of the parents.
The parents are more effective in imparting discipline and knowledge to students at the
very grass root level. It is therefore a known fact that all parents have the natural
inclination to give their children the good things of life they are capable of providing for
them. Also Labanda (1985:xi) said most people realize that certain children learn a great
deal about their parents’ job as they are growing up. In the light of this, parents must
According to the interview with parent participants, much contradicted information has
been seen. P1 strongly indicate that “the response of parents is good for the PTA” and he
continues PTA has done a lot of thing for the school. For instance after the finishing of
the two new G+4 buildings, extra suitable stairs for handicapped wheel chair were
59
constructed. P2 supports the extra suitable stairs are also useful for blind students and
teachers. When this has been constructed, the response of parents by moral and finance
was good. P1 and P2 added when the PTA has prepared by repairing four old classes for
students to eat lunch in, parents moral support was also there.
On the other hand P3 said that once I heard that suitable stairs for handicaps’ wheel chair
were constructed. And I also heard that four old classes repainted to give service for
students to eat their lunch in. But practically I haven’t totally seen two of them in the
compound. If these had been heard by most parents, the response of parents for PTA
In relation with these, P3 added even if the PTA said that the association prepares
students cafeteria inside the school, my son told me that students at all do not have
cafeteria in the school. The same participant added “these things create less response
from me. Because I suspect that PTA announces what it didn’t work.” (Interview with
Concerning to the above three argumentative points, the researcher also read all the three
tasks on the school’s 60th year anniversary magazine. But in his observation, all works
written on the 60th anniversary magazine haven’t been done. But they wrote it on the
P1 and P2, in another direction, appreciate the response of the parents. They said that
parents have come for PTA meetings as much as possible unless difficult things they
have faced. P3 on the other hand said I don’t think that I’m good in participating with the
association. I used to absent when I’m given a piece of invitation paper for meeting.
60
Some times when I attend the PTA meeting I used to prefer being silence. Besides when
they prepare a lottery, I don’t let my children to attempt it. Because I suspect that the
lottery may goes to the PTA members purposely. (Interview with P3 on April 19, 2013)
contribute 70-80 birr to strengthen the financial ability of the association. P1 announce
parents are cooperative to contribute money for the enhancement of teaching learning
process. Because they feel that their students affairs are their affairs too. P2 remind that
“as a PTA member, I initiate parents to see the school and cooperate with the school
community, in addition to know parents the rules and regulation of the school.”
4.4.3 Teachers
The researcher’s document analysis indicated that the PTA’s minutes appreciated
teachers’ positive response. Some of them who worked with the association rewarded a
certificate and given different gifts for their strong participation with PTA. Participant T1
indicated teachers have more professional in their roles and prepared well for class, teach
better and follow up with students properly. This teachers’ quality can also be seen at role
implementation of PTA in the school. The same participants continued and added at
meeting time, teachers behave well and take steps forward. Whereas, T2 said, it is
possible to say that the response of teachers for PTA role implementation is not good
except members of PTA. He added, members of PTA are seen when running here and
there to drive different roles. But those teachers who take large number have been seen
when doing nothing for the association. For instance, he strengthen his idea by saying,
physical exercise is more of practical that theoretical, but some teachers seen taking more
time for class theory by neglecting some roles of PTA like either ensuring teachers
61
properly execute their teaching responsibility or ensuring teachers are teaching in
Participant T2 explained teachers do know that there is PTA, but the connection between
them is very poor. Teachers do not apparently know what all roles of PTA are. Besides,
for most teachers it is not clear how PTA is organized. The same participant said, since
most of teachers do not know what the roles of PTA, they also do not know for which
role do they give more emphasis. Most roles have been known and some of them do get
attention by only who are members of the association. (Interview with T2, on April 12,
2013)
In relation with the response of teachers, T2 continues, teachers are not active
participants for the PTA. For instance one of the school’s PTA annual plans is 10 birr
penalty for late comer students. Here teachers promise to use this as a warning. But in
practical they do not even want to warn late comers before attending class. In another
direction the same participant added, we teachers are expected to do different tasks like
checking students exercise book, correcting tests, updating his/her self with a new
knowledge and skill etc. when we get free periods. But almost all teachers do not want to
stay in the compound. They quit the compound on the moment of finishing class.
Once, the participant continues, the teacher wants to leave the school immediately then
he starts leaving the class. At this time one of the students inform the teacher that some
minutes left. Here unlike PTA roles, the teacher let the student to leave the class by
denying one of PTA roles called securing adequate laws for the care and protection of
62
According to T2 most teachers do not feel good to the association because it has a kind of
political involvement and use mass media centered words. They think that the PTA found
in the school is to respect the order form Addis Ababa City Administration Education
Bureau. The same participant added “most of my friends do not want to heard the word
PTA”
Another thing that we teachers, the same participant added, should give attention in
Sometimes when a student make a mistake he/she is sent to call his/her parents, but when
the parents come, no one pays attention to them and they wait one to two hours to talk to
the teachers. Here the teachers are neglected one of PTA responsibility called plan
activities designed to attract and recruit more parents to build a strong parents
Some activities were found out by the association after the involvement of students and
Participant T1 who is a teacher and as well as PTA representative mentioned after class
tutorials. He said in the earlier time there was no after class tutorials for students. Since
the school is secondary, tutorial classes get students more ready for Ethiopian General
common ways to deal in building the capacity of students in the schools. So it was
63
indicated by students and then teachers and management of schools are accepting and the
school is now ready to give after class tutorials with fair amount of money.
In relation to after class tutorials, P1 said students idea is good. But it should have been
started earlier. Now it became use less for grade 10 students. Because, they are already on
the verge of finishing classes. The same participant added, in spite of the fact that the idea
comes from students, it was also teachers idea. D2 support starting of tutorials in the
school for the first time and said it is very efficient for those who actually attend after
class tutorials. He personally supports the idea of minimizing the tutorials fee that comes
from students.
S1 said we students frequently ask for the minimization of the fee. And the response that
we get from the school was good. D1 confirm that the tutorials is for the sake of student,
that’s why we minimize the amount of the fee. The researcher believes that such kind of
practice should be encouraged. As the WE1 said one of the responsibilities of our office
and discussing different problems that they face personally and in general environment.
Participant T1 said, in the school’s traffic police club female students were not found and
do not want to involve in. Because they do think that being police is for male. Participant
of students, female students are now became voluntary workers for the club like that of
males. The same thing is true D2 mentioned Tomorrow’s Teacher Club has large number
64
of male members than that of female. But with agitation by student members of the
association, the number of female students is getting high. The research observes that
almost in all co-curricular activities the number of female students was lesser than that of
Libraries were giving service up to 12 o’clock local time, T1 said. But now, P1 confirm
that it is open up to 2 o’clock local time. This is happened with frequent questions of
students, S1 announced. Participant WE1 informs that the library also gives service on
Saturday. P3 appreciates the extending of time, but he knows un recognized news that
male and female students who fell in love use the time for the sake of themselves instead
simply do not believe our children in this issue.” Participants D1 and D2 said to give
sufficient light to the school compound to control students easily when they are out of the
library after 12:00 to 2:00 o’clock local time extra lights have been posted by the PTA.
Students meet teachers, members of the association, the school director, parent
and rising different questions at the meeting time is the result of our involvement. P1 also
remembered, from attending meetings, students do know how minutes are taken.
Participant WE1 said the involvement of students is good. When they often times attend
meetings, they feel that they are main part of the school and become responsible to
protect furniture, pipe and electric lines, library books and generally school equipments.
65
Besides, he added, for effective school activities, one has to include students and discuss
Generally, students representatives participation in PTA brings merits for students. But
the document analysis check-list that was checked by the researcher discovered that PTA
66
Chapter Five: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
This last chapter of the thesis deals with the research summary, conclusion and the
researcher’s recommendations.
5.1 Summary
Parent Teacher Association is essential in order to drive different roles in the schools
effectively. Without PTA the smooth flow of teaching learning process might face
inconvenience. PTA is one of the ways in which the overall connection of teachers,
parents, principals and students is affiliated to. Un proper implementation of PTA roles in
the school create undisciplined students, unsatisfactory teachers and reckless parents.
This means when PTA doesn’t put its actions properly, students became out of line and
do not achieve good track records in their schools life, parents recklessness lead them not
to feel a sense of ownership on the school and teachers do not satisfy in their work.
Therefore looking at roles of school’s PTA is essential to handle obstacles and have
The purpose of the study was to examine the roles of PTA including more focused ones
in Entoto Amba secondary school and its improvement after the involvement of students
Context
The study was conducted in the context of PTA roles in the secondary schools to create a
democratic system for PTA role implementation and facilitating the response of
stakeholders for nationally oriented goals of PTA. There are still some problems facing
67
the school in which the PTA had been found. These include financial support of the PTA
to the schools, lack of cooperation between the schools and the parents, inadequate
for the sake of educational development. It plays a significant role in all aspects of
education from raising resources to managing different school activities. It raises the
send their children to school. PTA possesses several different duties and responsibilities
to include provision of platform for parents, sponsors, guardians and teachers of students.
Besides, the PTA fosters mutual understanding harmonious relationship and cooperation
among parents, guardians, sponsors and teachers in the fulfillment of the common goals
of the school as well as ensures a suitable, uniform and high standard of discipline, both
The design of the research was case study which makes a detailed exploration about a
single case. Data gathering instruments were; interview, document analysis, observation
and FGD. The data provided in-depth information through direct description of
situations. Interview had been conducted on a total of ten participants to have suitable
information and the center of the study was chosen by using purposive sampling. In the
68
PTA’s implementation on school’s finance and Monitoring
PTA of the school made an effort in encouraging parents to contribute to the school
finance. The finance was utilized for purchasing of teaching materials and repairing and
painting of the buildings. The school gets financial support from different sources like
government, NGO and sometimes religious institutions. Most of the times, from
donators, money for PTA’s comes for two issues. It is either for specific purpose which is
indicated properly for what purpose to be implemented, or for general term called ‘for the
teaching learning purpose.’ The school’s PTA income sources for many different years
are; sale of grass, sale of old furniture, hall rent and lotteries.
PTA mostly emphasis on monitoring how annual programs of the school are properly
implemented according to the schedule. Moreover opportunities are given to take part in
decision making about school programmers including goal setting, development and
implementation of programmed activities and fund allocation. PTA also ensures that
teachers are teaching in accordance with the interest, demand and rights of students.
Based on the information gathered from the students themselves, the response of students
to the association was not positive. Most of the time students refuse to do` what the
association announces. Unlike the PTA’s attempt to put its roles into action, from
students unwise use of school resources up to burning their uniform at the end of the year
became students symbolic mark and large number of annual plans was seen neglected by
the students.
From parents side, their response to the PTA is strongly important. PTA expects them to
participate strongly and directly. PTA also wants parents feel a sense of ownership on the
69
school. According to the information collected from parents themselves, different
information has been seen at a time. This means that the response of parents, who are
representatives for the association were good. These representatives announce that
including themselves parents are good participants for the association. They expressed
parents as positive persons for PTA’s role implementation. But to the contrary parents
who are not representative for the PTA do not want even to attend PTA meeting if they
are invited.
On the other hand, teachers’ response for PTA’s role implementation can be seen from
two different angles. Some teachers, especially who used to work with PTA or school
administration are always ready to work with PTA and their response was positive by
spending their time and running over and over again. They behave well for PTA and take
steps forward together with PTA’s role. Whereas, other teachers do not willing full to
drive PTA’s roles. Their response might reach up to quitting the compound or not to hear
Including students to the association is good to help themselves more and understand
their immediate questions and interest on the school management and teachers. Besides
to improve teaching learning process, students result and their behavior, it is recognized
Before the involvement of students, tutorial class was not started in the school. But with
strong questions from student representative of the association, after class tutorials have
70
been commenced. In addition to this, students ask for the minimization of the fee in this
increased. For simple example most female students think that being police is only for
male. But after students involvement to the association and their encouragements of
others number of female students are giving voluntary service to the school traffic police
club. Besides in a club called ‘To Be a Teacher’, number of new students who wants to
Extending of library service time is also another improvement of the association. In the
school, library service was end up at 12:00 evening local time. But with frequent
questions of students, starting from this year onwards, it started giving service up to 2:00
evening local time. Hence students could get good place to study and better chance to get
Students who are representative of the association meet parent representatives, teachers,
the school directors, and some experts from woreda education office. Therefore they
improve their meeting experience and they share their experience to others and also built
5.2 Conclusion
As it is disclosed by the findings, it can be concluded that the directors, WEO and PTA
members cooperatively work together. They work on problems of mutual concern. This
shows that the participation of PTA in different roles together with directors was high.
71
Also, it is possible to say that they have good way of communication which can be
expressed in open discussion and monthly meeting. This indicated that they exercise
School’s teachers and teacher representatives for the school PTA haven’t the same view
for the association. Teacher representatives are always ready to spend their time and labor
without cupidity for the good of the school, and they also confidentially announce that
they are implementing different roles of PTA. But to the contrary many school’s teachers
do not want to have even single contact with the PTA. They want to carry out their day-
PTA announces works that haven’t been worked by it as if they have been done. The
association didn’t repair old class for students’ as lunch hall, didn’t get ready extra
suitable stair for handicapped students and teachers or didn’t prepare cafeteria for the
students inside the school compound. Since those things haven’t been done, publishing
them on the school magazine as if they have been done by the PTA indicates finance
control of the school was low. As a result hidden outlets for different resources were
opened.
The finding also indicated the prevalence of a high degree of disciplinary problems
among students minimize the response of students to the association. These disciplinary
problems stayed for the past half a decade and a threat for another coming years. This
shows PTA’s roles on problem solving mechanism and the need to get good response
72
The participation of parents in the school finance was due to the encouragement of the
PTA. This was seen when G+4 building was built. The use of this income is very
important in bringing the desired change in the school, though the limited finance could
The findings shows that even if students response to work with the PTA is very less,
the involvement of them to the association brings some strong changes like extending
of library service time, after class tutorials and its fee minimization.
5.3 Recommendations
The following recommendations are forwarded to strengthen the role of PTA, based on
PTA should keep its usual cooperative work. Its good walk with the school
directors and WEO brings more proper implementation of PTA roles, and support
Besides, giving training for PTA is the responsibility of the WEO. Therefore,
PTA should always take immediate contact with WEO and get trainings properly.
Three of stakeholders; teachers, students and parents are divided into two to
welcome PTA roles. Some of the teachers, students and parents work with PTA
and some do not. For the good of the school activities, PTA must meet all
stakeholders frequently and involve all staff, parents and students to participate in
PTA ought to think sternly for its report of what it works. It shouldn’t announce
73
hidden outlets of different resources at repairing time, finance control of PTA
It’s better for PTA to prepare cafe for students inside the compound and also work
with students, parents and teachers on disciplinary causes so that they would get a
Even if PTA has got less response from students, it could earn a lot from student
keep up tough connection with students to bring extra several benefits for the
Since this study was conducted in a single school in Gullele sub-city, further field
more in other secondary schools to have better understanding on roles of PTA and
74
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78
Appendices
Appendix A
The main objective of this interview is to collect data for a research work. The study
response for each interview question is important and all information you give is secret.
Gender:
Age:
Educational Background:
Marital Status:
Occupation:
4. What progresses have been seen after students involvement to the association?
79
Interview Questions to Teachers
4. What progresses have been seen after students involvement to the association?
4. What progresses have been seen after students involvement to the association?
1. How is the involvement of the Woreda in making PTA to implement its roles?
4. What progresses have been seen after students involvement to the association?
4. What progresses have been seen after students involvement to the association?
80
Appendix B
አ ዲስ አ በ ባ ዩ ኒ ቨ ር ስ ቲ
የ ትምህ ር ት ጥና ትና ምር ምር ኢን ስ ቲትዩ ት
የ እ ር ሶ ትክ ክ ለ ኛ መልስ ጠቃሚ ነ ው፡ ፡
ጾ ታ፡
ዕ ድሜ፡
የ ትምህ ር ት ደ ረ ጃ ፡
የ ትዳር ሁኔ ታ፡
ሥራ፡
ለ ር ዕ ሰ መምህ ር የ ሚቀ ር ብ ቃለ መጠይቅ
81
ለ መምህ ር የ ሚቀ ር ብ ቃለ መጠይቅ
ይደረ ግባ ቸዋ ል ?
ለ ወላ ጅ የ ሚቀ ር ብ ቃለ መጠይቅ
3. የ ወመህ ወላ ጅ አ ባ ላ ት ከ ማህ በ ሩ ጋ ር በ ን ቃት ይሳ ተፋሉ?
ለ ወረ ዳ ሀ ላ ፊ የ ሚቀ ር ብ ቃለ መጠይቅ
82
ለ ተማሪ በ ቡድን ውይይት መልክ የ ሚቀ ር ብ የ ኤፍጂዲ (FGD)
መጠየ ቅ
83
Appendix C
The researcher used the following document analysis checklist items with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’
response after carefully analyzing the necessary documents; minutes, PTA’s annual plans
and other documents like official letters that PTA required to possess.
the association.
84
Declaration
I hereby declare this thesis is my original work and that all sources of information
used for the thesis have been acknowledged. I also assure that it has not been
Signature: ___________________________
Date: _______________________________
Approved by:
Signature: __________________________
Date: ______________________________
85