STAKEHOLDERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS AND CHALLENGES OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION: THE CASE OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS

This study aims to identify the challenges and extent of stakeholders’ contributions to the implementation of the school improvement program in primary schools. An explanatory sequential design was used with mixed research methods (QUAN→qual). Primary data were obtained from students, teachers, principals, and school improvement committees. However, secondary data were obtained via document analysis. A total of 571 (14.2%) sample size was comprised of 99(24.1%) teachers, 396(11.4%) students, 32(10%) principals, and 44(10%) committee members. A simple random sampling - lottery method was employed as a technique. A self-developed close and open-ended questionnaire was used with a combination of semi-structured interviews. Mean, SD, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc comparisons were used as a method of analysis at 0.05 significance level. As the results of the study, the stakeholders moderately contributed to the implementation of the program and, hence, there is statistically no significant view difference about their contributions. However, scarcity of instructional materials, lack of adequate budgets, improper utilization of school grants, absence of incentive mechanisms, and failure to search for additional budgets are found as the major hurdles. Moreover, these challenges significantly hinder the program implementation. Therefore, it is recommended to the education sector to properly apply the school improvement program Blue Print and framework, adopt incentive packages, link the program with teachers’ appraisal system, and timely release of grant budgets. On top of that, higher education institutions are advised to revise curriculum for course - 'school and society’ and encourage staff to design and implement school development projects.  Article visualizations

Determinants of Academic Staffs Participation in Research Activities in Ethiopian Universities: The Case of Wollega University

Undertaking more research is widely considered as the most as it leads to creation of new knowledge, inventions and innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa in general and in Ethiopia in particular, yet there are very few studies of the extent to which it fulfills this promise. In this paper we use survey data from Wollega University to understand the factors hindering research participation decision of academic staffs at university level. Faculty members’ participation in research helps in improving the quality of teaching faculty and the status of an institution. Decisions about promotion and tenure heavily rely on the quality and quantity of research productivity. A self-administered questionnaire has been used to gather data. The sample size comprises of 120 faculty members from two selected colleges. Data has been analyzed by using statistical techniques and logit model. We conclude that availability of publication incentives, work experience, speed of internet, accessibility to research funds and colleague collaboration on research participation all enhance the probability of academic staff’s research participation while teaching load is negatively related to the probability of academic staff’s research participation in the study area. Keywords: Research, Research participation decision, Institutional factors, Environmental factors, Personal career development factors, Demographic factors. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/11-1-02 Publication date: January 31st 202

Human-wildlife Conflicts in Ethiopian Protected Areas

The paper aimed to review Human-Wildlife Conflict which is fast becoming a serious threat to the survival of many endangered species in the world. Thus, this paper seeks to compile detailed information regarding the nature and magnitude of HWC and mitigation measures taken to reduce human-wildlife conflict in different protected areas in Ethiopia. A lot of literatures and reports from print and electronic media were consulted during the course of preparation of the article. The main problem that cause such conflict between wildlife the local community residing near the protected area of Ethiopia was created by lack of access to forest resources for the local community, crop and livestock damage on humans. Hyena and Baboon were common problematic animals in different protected areas of Ethiopia. To reduce such conflicts and promote sustainable conservation; co-management and interdisciplinary participation of different sectors were needed. Keywords: Guarding, Human-wildlife conflict, Protected area, Local community DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/65-04 Publication date:May 31st 202

Review on Challenges and Opportunities of Protected Area Management in Ethiopia

Protected areas are designated areas that are protected due to their ecological, cultural, or other values. It plays a vital role in biodiversity conservation. Ethiopia have more than 55 protected areas which cover 17.1% of the country, ranked third in African country next to Tanzania and Uganda, those are protected in order to gain benefits for livelihoods at local, regional and country level but the value obtained from the protected areas is very low when it is compared to other African countries like Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. People out approach” protected area management to participatory protected area management, wildlife development, conservation and utilization proclamations, diversified floral and faunal species are major opportunities for PA management in Ethiopia. Even it has various opportunities in different part; the areas have been challenged largely by natural and human-induced constraints. The review revealed that grazing, expansion of farmland, cutting living tree, conflict, inadequate coordination among stakeholder are the major management problems of the PAs. Ecotourism use diverse nature, landscapes and biodiversity as major tourist attractions. Protected areas such as national parks are becoming major ecotourism sites. Keywords: Protected Area, Ecotourism, Wildlife, Biodiversity, Ethiopi

An Analysis of Useful Customary Practice in Hadiya Culture: The Case of “Landimacho”

Developing and preserving the use of indigenous knowledge, skills and heritages can play an essential role in ensuring utility and sustainable transmission of cultural heritages for new generations. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the role of indigenous institution (Landmacho) in settling conflicts in the Hadiya people in Hadiya Zone Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) of Ethiopia. Qualitative research design was employed in the study for its appropriateness to assess the role of indigenous institutions in resolution of conflicts in the study area and Purposive sampling technique was employed to select the interviewee in the data collection. Landimacho is the truth of women and is the ruling system in the Hadiya society that is given to females or women only. It is culturally persuading system of two or more group of people’s conflict in the Hadiya society.  The conflict is reached high point and male counterpart tried to solve but they cannot solve it. So, it is forced to be given to women of the society. It has a great role in conflict resolution, crime investigation and peacemaking in the society. To keep this value of society awareness creation, trainings about women’s role to the society, educating women to flourish it, increasing women’s participation and are mentioned to be the main recommendations to present a good attitude towards function of landimacho in the society. Keywords: indigenous, guff-guddima, xiigguulla, landimacho, geja, Wogana. DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/72-01 Publication date:October 31st 202

Characterization of the existing soil management in relation to some selected physico-chemical properties at Bulehoraworeda, West guji zone

The study of soil physico-chemical properties were made on the soils of BuleHoraWoreda, WestGuji zone. The objective of the study was to characterize soil physical and chemical properties to assess the fertility status of the soils in the study areas. Soil profile pits at representative sites were described and soil samples were collected from each depth of 0-15 cm, 15 – 30 cm, and 30–60 cm depending on the root depth of the crop. Soil samples were collected from two different study areas for the determination of soil texture, bulk density, porosity, soil pH and electrical conductivity. The top layer (0-15 cm) has an average bulk density of 1.10 g/cm3, whereas the subsurface layer (15-30 and the bottom layer (30-60 cm) has an average bulk density of 1.16 g/cm3 and 1.26 g/cm3, respectively at the GuyyeKebele. The average value of bulk density 1.18 g/cm3, 1.29 g/cm3 and 1.39g/cm3 was recorded on the surface horizon (0-15 cm), subsurface horizon (15-30 cm) and the bottom horizon (30 - 60 cm) depth, respectively at BuleHora Farm. Accordingly, the highest (1.39 g/cm3) and the lowest (1.10 g/cm3) average bulk density values were recorded for BuleHoraand GuyyeKebele study Farm, respectively. The average highest porosity (58.48%) value was observed in the surface horizon (0 -15 cm) soil depth and the average lowest porosity value (52.11%) was observed in the bottom horizon (30 – 60 cm) depth at GuyyeKebele study Farm. The average porosity value of the soils in BuleHora study Farm were recorded 55.27%, 52.39% and 47.63% for the surface horizon (0 -15 cm), sub surface horizon ( 15 –30 cm) and bottom horizon (30 – 60 cm) depth , respectively. The soil textural class was changed with depth from sandy clay in surface horizon (0-15 cm) to clay in both sub surface horizon (15- 30 cm) and bottom horizon (30-60 cm) at GuyyeKebele. The pH value was observed on the soils of the GuyyeKebele study area increased from 6.08 at surface horizon (0 – 15 cm) to 6.27 at the sub surface horizon (15- 30 cm) and then slightly decreased to 6.21 at the bottom horizon (30-60 cm) of the soil depth. Lowest soil pH value (5.44) was measured in the surface horizon (0 –15 cm) and the highest pH value (6.09) was observed in bottom horizon (30-60 cm) soil depth at BuleHora farm. The electrical conductivity of the saturated soil paste extracts of the study area was low (ranging from 0.0387 to 0.1587 dS m-1) throughout the profile showing no significant accumulation of soluble salts to convert the soil to saline soil.Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 7 (2): 43-48, December, 201

Factors Affecting Profitability: An Emprical Study on Ethiopian Banking Industry

The main purpose of this study was to examine factors affecting profitabilityEthiopian banking industry. The study adopted quantitative research approach and the statistical tool was used to estimate the profitability, which was measured by returnon asset as a function of balance sheet, industry specific and macroeconomic explanatoryvariables. The finding of the study showed that loan and advance, current deposit, otherliabilities and gross domestic product have statistically significant and positiverelationship with banks’ profitability. On the other hand, variables like fixed deposit, market concentration have a negative and statistically significant relationship withbanks’ profitability. However, the relationship of deposit with other banks, sum ofinvestment, saving deposit and inflation is found to be statistically insignificant. As aresult, the study recommended that Ethiopian Banking Industry must focus on increasingpublic awareness to mobilize more savings this will enhance their performance inprovision of loans and advance to customers. Finally, Ethiopian Banking Industryshouldnot only be concerned about internal structures and policies, but they must consider boththe internal environment and the macroeconomic environment together in fashioning out strategies to improve their profitability

Characterizing Woody Encroachment in the Konza Prairie Using Object-Based Analysis of Aerial Photographs

Woody encroachment is a threat to the ecological integrity of tallgrass prairie in Kansas. Encroachment data that covers a large spatial and temporal scale would be valuable to managers of tallgrass prairie, but no such dataset exists. The objective of this research is to develop a replicable technique for creating woody vegetation maps from aerial photographs. Rather than using a traditional pixel-by-pixel approach to classification, this project uses an object-based approach, wherein individual pixels are grouped into meaningful image objects according to user-defined parameters and then classified. I created woody vegetation maps of eight watersheds in the Konza Prairie using imagery from 1978, 1991, 2003, 2006, and 2010. I also determined the efficacy of LIDAR data in classifying the image from 2006. Ground-based vegetation survey data exist for two of the watersheds included in the remote sensing portion of this study. I analyzed the data from the available years nearest to the imagery dates (1983, 1992, 2003, and 2007) in order to provide a measure of validation for the woody vegetation maps. The results of this research were used to determine the applicability of this mapping technique and to draw preliminary conclusions about the landscape-level factors associated with woody encroachment