Practices and Challenges of School Improvement Program (SIP) in Secondary Schools of Ilu Aba Bor Zone

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of schoolimprovement program (SIP) in secondary schools of Ilu Aba Bor Zone. Thechallenges encountered during SIP implementation in the study area were dullyemphasized. The study employed descriptive survey design. It was carried out inselected secondary schools of the Zone. Accordingly, 250 teachers were selectedthrough simple random sampling and 50 School Improvement Program committeemembers were included using census technique. Questionnaire, interview, documentanalysis, and observation were used to gather data from respondents. Percentage,mean, standard deviation, and an Independent sample t-test were employed to analyzethe quantitative data and narration was used to analyze the qualitative data. Theresults of the study revealed that the preparations made for SIP implementation wassatisfactory, but it was inadequate in enhancing student achievement and reducingeducational wastage. Furthermore, shortage of budget, inadequate skill of schoolprincipals in monitoring and evaluation, weak support from the community, lack ofparticipatory decision-making, and shortage of facilities were major hindrance ofproper implementation of the SIP. From the results of the findings, it was concludedthat there was gap between policy implementation strategies and its actual practices.Finally, providing training opportunities on school improvement program forstakeholders, developing school level policy guidelines, promoting participatorydecision-making, and maintaining formal monitoring and evaluation to enhance theschool improvement program and student achievements were recommended.