Department of Governance and Development studies

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ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH NUTRITIONAL STATUSES AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GURAGE ZONE SOUTHWEST ETHIOPIA
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2024-07) MINYAHIL MENGISTU TSEGAHE
Background: Malnutrition is a state of retarded physical development or specific clinical disorder caused by consistent lack of one or more nutrients and also excess amount of nutrients. It was the diminishing health outcome due to deficiency, excess or imbalance of nutrients. Infants, pre-school children, adolescents, pregnant women and elderly people are the persons likely to be malnourished. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess academic performance and its association with nutritional statuses among Primary School Students in Wolkite town Gurage Zone, SNNPR, in year 2015 E.CMethods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 391 participants age between 6-14 years in Wolkite town. A simple random sampling was used to select the participant from the registration book of selected schools. Weight and height of students was measured using standard instruments. The anthropometric measurement was taken in standardized manner by trained professional and two times measurement was taken to validate. The survey data was analyzed using WHO Anthro Plus software version 1.0.4 and SPSS 23.0. Results: A total of 391 school children were enrolled with 99.8% response rate. In this study mean academic performance for the study participant were 62.07(± 10.59 SD). The prevalence of underweight, wasting and stunting was 17.4 %, 12% and 9.7 %, respectively. Stunting with 95%CI AOR= 0.39[95%CI: 0.14, 1.02], absent from school with 95%CI AOR= 0.47[95%CI: 0.25, 0.90], Habit of study with 95%CI AOR= 3.76[95%CI: 1.28, 11.02] and happy going to school with 95%CI AOR=3.76[95%CI: 1.28, 11.02] were significantly associated with Academic performance with P value < 0.05. Conclusion and Recommendation: With regard to academic performance among all studystudents (14 %) and (86%) had poor and good academic performance achievements. Based on the preceding major finding the following conclusion are made in this study showed that Stunting, Absent from school, Habit of study at night time and Happy going to school were significantly associated with academic performance at p-value < 0.05.The recommendation were The zonal health and education bureau should work in collaboration with other organizations (NGOs) to combat malnutrition and to strengthen the positive effect of nutrition on educational achievement of primary school children.
ACCESS, UTILIZATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE THE CASE OF WOLKITE TOWN AND KEBENA WOREDA GOVERNMENT SECONAARY SCHOOLS GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) ABDULAZIZ SHIFA
The purpose of this study is to examine how government owned secondary schools access andutilize instructional materials in classrooms and how this contributes to academic perfor mance of students. The objectives of the research were to explore the access for instructional materials, assess the utilization of the materials by teachers and students and to assess the ef fect of the utilization of instructional materials on students’ academic performance.The study adopted a deiscriptive survey design. The study considers sample of government owned sec ondary schools in wolkite town and kebena woreda. Out of 8 government secondary schools in wolkite town and kebena woreda 4 schools are selected by using stratified random sampling technique for data collection. In each sample school, 4 teachers and 91 students are considered for the structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Also head of 1 school and 1 Pedagogical center officers are interviewed questionnaire based interview. Instructional ma terials are the key to teachers’ and students’ performance. Most government secondary schools in wolkite town and kebena woreda in general suffer from shortage of essential teach ing and learning materials. The study shows insufficient access of instructional materials in all schools and inadequate utilization of the accessed IMS, the effect of utilization of IMS to improve their students’ performance is found to be significant.Also the students‘academic per formance in the class in the study area is low which in turn indicates the quality of education that is significantly affected in the study area.
ADHERENCE TO PRENATAL IRON-FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ENOR DISTRICT: COMMUNITY BASED CROSS-SECTIONALSTUDY
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2023-12) Ayele Melis
Introduction: Iron and folic acid supplementation is the most widely employed strategy to alleviate iron deficiency anemia and neural tube defects. Adherence to iron and folic acid is crucial for the prevention of birth defect and anemia during pregnancy. In Ethiopia, the national data suggests that from all pregnant women supplemented with IFA tablets only 0.4% consumed more than 90 tablets during their pregnancy time. The factors for this low adherence are not clearly known.Objective: To assess adherence to prenatal iron folic acid supplementation and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care services in Enor district, South Ethiopia, 2023.Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in 388 pregnant women attending antenatal care from 20th of March to 20th of April 2023 in Enor district, South Ethiopia. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. The level of adherence was assessed based on the reported number of iron folic acid tablet doses taken by pregnant women ≥ 4 times per a week in the previous one month preceding the survey during the data collection period. Data were entered in to Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Variables having P ≤ 0.05 in the bivariate analysis were entered in to a multivariable logistic regression analysis in order to detect association with adherence to iron folic acid supplementation. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI were estimated to assess the strength of associations and statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05.Results: The adherence rate in this study was 53.6% (95% CI: 49.5 – 57.9). Factors significantly associated with adherence to Iron/folic acid supplementation in the multivariable logistic regression model were history of still birth (AOR: 2.957: 95% CI: 1.098 - 7.965), history of abortion (AOR: 3.444: 95% CI: 1.290 - 9.191), early registration during the first ANC visit (AOR: 2.768: 95% CI: 1.182 - 6.486), knowledge of anemia (AOR: 2.093: 95% CI: 1.106 -3.961), and knowledge of Iron folic acid supplement (AOR: 2.1: 95% CI: 1.108 - 3.981). Conclusion: This study revealed that the adherence status of pregnant women to iron folic acid supplement was low in the study area. Improving the knowledge of pregnant women on anemia and iron folic acid supplement by delivering health education on the cause, consequence and prevention of anemia during pregnancy was primarily recommended to increase adherence level.
AMHARIC-ENGLISH CODE-MIXED LANGUAGE IDENTIFICATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA USING MACHINE LEARNING AND DEEP LEARNING APPROACH
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2024-01) YETMWORK TESFAYE ASFAW
In recent years, the study of identifying languages in social media text has been a fascinating area of research. Earlier English language was dominantly used in social media communication, but code-mixed text in social media is prevalent in non-English-speaking states. In code-mixed data, a single sentence combines two different languages, making it challenging for people to determine the language used in the text. Therefore, the use of language identification for processing such code-mixed sentences is essential in language processing tasks. In this proposed work we employed different machine learning and deep learning techniques to identify Amharic-English code-mixed text from social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Telegram. For the proposed models we prepared 5021 sentences from these social media, and we applied scraping, cleaning, filtration, and then tokenization and POS tagging using NLTK. After tokenization was performed, we labeled each language tag and Amharic POS tag manually, the total number of words was thirty-one thousand three hundred five (31,305) prepared. The process of categorizing Amharic-English code-mixed data into Amharic, English, Named Entity, and Universal was executed. In this study, we employed machine learning and deep learning methods, we trained our models with count vector, TF-IDF vector, bi and tri gram, and word to vector. After model training was finished, we evaluated the effectiveness of each model using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-Score, and for user-friendly interaction, we saved the model and deployed using the Flask web Framework. The result shows SVM, logistic regression, and naïve bayes achieves an accuracy of 96%, 86%, and 86%, with TF-IDF and count vector respectively, and decision tree, XGBoost, random forest, and MaxEnt performs an accuracy of 94%, 93%, 93% and 87% with word to vector respectively. And LSTM, CNN, Bi-LSTM, MLP gained accuracy of 84%,87%,87%, and 87%. Generally, SVM is best fit for our code-mixed language identification. From deep learning algorithm MLP is best in terms of f1-score of 0.90,0.95,0.64, and 0.55 for Amharic, English, named entity and universal language label.
AN ASSESMENT FACTOR AFFECTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ON LOCAL DEVELOPMENT” IN THE CASE OF EMDIBER TOWN ADMINISTRATION
(wku, 2022-09-02) KIRUBEL DAMTEW
The purpose of this study was to assess factors affecting community participation in local development at selected kebele of Emdiber town administration. Descriptive research design was used. Qualitative and quantitative approaches of research were employed. Both primary and secondary source of data were used. Systematic and purposive sampling techniques were employed to select respondents. Data were collected by using survey questionnaire from 184 sample community respondents, interview conducted with selected government officials and kebele administrators, FGDs held with selected community representatives, and personal observation. A descriptive method was employed to analyze the collected data. The findings shows that absences of appropriate awareness creation, absence of convincing community mobilizing approach, absence of all inclusive participatory approach, over reporting of few development success, weak institutional frame work, gender discrimination, illiteracy, low social cooperation and low personal income are some of major factors that greatly hampered active community participation in development program that result on poor community involvement at grass root level. As result of low level of community participation, most of local development decisions were passed based on small unrepresentative interest group and local leaders’ interest and also several communities based local development programs were failed to be implemented. Thus it is recommended that local government authority should strengthen its institutional capacity, enhance community awareness creation on community participation and its importance, develop convincing community mobilizing approach, developing inclusive participatory decision making and that all community members should voluntarily work in collaboration with local government authority and others development actors to make local development program successful and sustainable. Finally, the community participation in sustainable local economic developed created strong social, community capital and developed sense of ownership with a very great confidence.
AN ASSESSMENT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE PRACTICES IN LAND ADMINISTRATION: THE CASE OF WOLKITE TOWN, ETHIOPIA.
(wku, 2022-10-07) GENET SISHA
The importance of good governance as a critical condition for land administration can no longer be under estimated in both developed and developing societies. The purpose of this study was to assess good governance practices in land administration pertaining to transparency at wolkite town, Ethiopia. A cross sectional survey research design was adopted whereby data was gathered through questionnaires, key informants interview, focused group discussions and document analysis. A total of 384household heads, 15 focus group participant and 12 key informants were involved for the study using random and purposive sampling methods, respectively. Data collected by survey questionnaires was entered SPSS for statistical analysis; and data collected by focus group discussion and interviews were analyzed qualitatively; and used for the purpose of triangulation. The study found that the extent of clarity and accessibility of land laws, rules and regulations; and the extent of transparency of land use, allocation and distribution was very low as perceived by the respondent residents. The study further revealed that the decision making process was not open and participatory. The major challenges of land administration in the study area were corruption, bureaucracy, political interference, poor management and incompetence .The study concludes that the land administration system is not transparent based on views and experiences of residents and focus group respondents. The study recommended that enlighten urban residents on laws, rules and regulations, ensuring accessibility of information, capacitating service providers and increase application of information communication technologies were essential to ensure good urban land governance and administration in the study area
AN ASSESSMENT ON THE ROLE OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN ENSURING DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL TRANSITION IN ETHIOPIAN SINCE 2018
(wolkite unvesity, 2022-05-01) FIRITO KASSA
Recently Ethiopia attempted a democratic political transition in 2018 by allowing opposition parties to participate in the political process. However, the initial attempt at democratic political transition has not been consolidated by numerous obstacles that need to be given serious attention to consolidating the democratic political system. Ethiopia's government organized a nationwide dialogue to solve the country's multifaceted concerns. The main objective of this study was to provide an assessment of the role of national dialogue in ensuring democratic political transition in Ethiopia since 2018. To achieve this objective, the study employed a qualitative research approach and an exploratory study design. The study used primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.Non-probable sampling, particularly purposive sampling, was employed to select key informants and FGD discussants. The thematic analysis method was applied to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study identified thatthe FDRE constitution, federal structure, historical narratives, national flag, emblems, heroes, social cohesion, and political culture are major national agendas that should be addressed during the planned national dialogue. *RYHUQPHQWV SROLWLFDO SDUWLHV¶ PHGLD FLYLO VRFLHW\ DQG H[WHUQDO DFWRUV DUH WKH PDLQ stakeholders to be included in the national dialogue. According to the findings, factors influencing the success of national dialogue in Ethiopia include inclusiveness, representation, and selection criteria; setting clear objectives and agendas; credible conveners; public support; linkages with other political processes, and external actors; national ownership; and learning from experience.
AN ASSESSMENT ON THE ROLE OF NATIONAL DIALOGUE IN ENSURING DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL TRANSITION IN ETHIOPIAN SINCE 2018
(wku, 2022-07-05) FIRITO KASSA
Recently Ethiopia attempted a democratic political transition in 2018 by allowing opposition parties to participate in the political process. However, the initial attempt at democratic political transition has not been consolidated by numerous obstacles that need to be given serious attention to consolidating the democratic political system. Ethiopia's government organized a nationwide dialogue to solve the country's multifaceted concerns. The main objective of this study was to provide an assessment of the role of national dialogue in ensuring democratic political transition in Ethiopia since 2018. To achieve this objective, the study employed a qualitative research approach and an exploratory study design. The study used primary and secondary sources. Primary data was collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.Non-probable sampling, particularly purposive sampling, was employed to select key informants and FGD discussants. The thematic analysis method was applied to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study identified thatthe FDRE constitution, federal structure, historical narratives, national flag, emblems, heroes, social cohesion, and political culture are major national agendas that should be addressed during the planned national dialogue. Governments, political parties’ media, civil society, and external actors are the main stakeholders to be included in the national dialogue. According to the findings, factors influencing the success of national dialogue in Ethiopia include inclusiveness, representation, and selection criteria; setting clear objectives and agendas; credible conveners; public support; linkages with other political processes, and external actors; national ownership; and learning from experience.
An Assessment on Urban Green Infrastructure Development and Challenges: A case of Wolkite Town, Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia
(wku, 2024-07-01) FELEKECH TESFAYE
The concept of urban green infrastructure is being implemented as part of future land use plans in cities around the world. This study was aimed to assessing current status and challenges of urban green infrastructure development in Wolkite town. To achieve the aforementioned research objective, a mixed research approach was used. Representative sample respondents and key informant were selected using random and purposive sampling methods, respectively. Questionnaire, key informant interview were used as tools of data collection. Data obtained via survey questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 26). Data collected by document review and key informant interviews were analyzed by description for method of triangulation. The findings of the study revealed that road side plantation was the common urban green infrastructure in the study area. However, the status of urban green infrastructure is very poor this lead to dissatisfaction among the dwellers. Increasing green areas coverage had encouraging effect on urban green infrastructure while lack of strategic plan to facilitate the development and management of urban green infrastructure and lack of reserved spaces was identified as the major problem in the town. Based on the findings of the study, it concludes that urban green infrastructure in the study are faces various challenges and as a result to improve the coverage and quantity of urban green infrastructure of Wolkite town used its maximum effort on it, Wolkite town administration and municipality administration should give consideration for plan, implantation and rules regarding urban green infrastructure in the study area
ASSESSEMENT OF STATUS OF SOIL ACIDITY UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE TYPES AND SLOPE GRADIENTS: THE CASE OF WEST AZERNET BERBERE DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2022-06) AHMED ASRAR ABDELLA
The general purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of land use types; slope gradient and their interaction on soil acidity and selected physico-chemical properties in West Azernet Berber Woreda. The experiment was taken as the randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two factors and total of 27 composite samples were taken. For data analysis, general linear model procedure of SAS version 9.4 was used.Three land uses (natural forest, grazing and cultivated land), and three slope gradients (10-15%, 5-10% and 2-5%) in three replications were considered for this study. Totally 27 composite soil samples were collected from cultivated, forest and grazing lands and slope gradients with three replications for laboratory analysis. Results indicated that the highest mean value of sand was recorded in grazing land and highest mean value of silt and clay were recorded under forest land, cultivated lands and upper slope classes respectively. Soils were strongly acidic (pH =5.2-5.4), whereas natural forest land uses and lower slope classes were moderately acidic2 (pH =5.9-6.0). The total porosity, bulk density and PH, Av.P, OM, CEC,Ca+2, Mg+2 K+, Na+, were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) affected by land use types and slope gradients .Percent base saturation Total nitrogen and except silt, particle size distribution were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by land use typesand slope classes . The mean values of sand ,total porosity, pH, OM, TN, CEC, Ca+2, Mg+2, K+, Na+ and PBS were higher in forest and lower slope classes as compared with grazing , cultivated lands and in 10-15% and 5-10% slope classes respectively. The exchangeable acidity and exchangeable Al were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by under cultivated land and grazing lands and upper slope classes. Generally, land use types and slope gradient have significant effect on their interaction soil acidity and selected physic-chemical properties of soil. Therefore, in order to reduce soil acidity problem, minimize intensive cultivation, over grazing, liming and integrated soil acidity management practice is recommended for study area and further study should be investigated on the rest soil nutrients.
ASSESSING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES AND ITS CHALLENGES IN PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS: IN THE CASE OF
(Wolkite University, 2022-05) Kedija Sani
After the down fall of the military regime, the current government of Ethiopia had shown the commitment to improve public sector leadership. For the last two decades, all the federal, regional and local governments made a number of efforts to develop the capacities of public sector leaders. However, many public sectors still lack well experienced and competent leaders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of leadership development in EWPSOs. The descriptive research design by using mixed (quantitative and qualitative) research approach was applied. Stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select sample respondents. The data were collected from public servants, Woreda cabinet and Woreda top management through questionnaire, interview and FGD respectively. The analysis of quantitative data was made by using SPSS computer software while the analysis of qualitative data was made by following qualitative data analysis procedures. The findings of the study show that short term trainings, management courses in universities, selection and self- help activities are the main leadership development practices that are being exercised in EWPSOs. However, these leadership development practices are notproperly implemented Lack of well- organized and integrated leadership development plan, lack of identifying the basic leadership competencies and the better developmental activities, improper selection of young and new leaders for leadership positions and lack of conducive organizational culture are the basic challenges that hinder the effectiveness of leadership development efforts of public sector organizations. Finally, recommended that EWPSOs should understand the importance of developing many leaders in today's complex situation to address the fast increasing need and demand of the society.
ASSESSING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES AND ITS CHALLENGES IN PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS: IN THE CASE OF ENOR WOREDA
(Wolkite University, 2022-01-30) Kedija Sani
After the down fall of the military regime, the current government of Ethiopia had shown the commitment to improve public sector leadership. For the last two decades, all the federal, regional and local governments made a number of efforts to develop the capacities of public sector leaders. However, many public sectors still lack well experienced and competent leaders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the practices and challenges of leadership development in EWPSOs. The descriptive research design by using mixed (quantitative and qualitative) research approach was applied. Stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to select sample respondents. The data were collected from public servants, Woreda cabinet and Woreda top management through questionnaire, interview and FGD respectively. The analysis of quantitative data was made by using SPSS computer software while the analysis of qualitative data was made by following qualitative data analysis procedures. The findings of the study show that short term trainings, management courses in universities, selection and self- help activities are the main leadership development practices that are being exercised in EWPSOs. However, these leadership development practices are not properly implemented Lack of well- organized and integrated leadership development plan, lack of identifying the basic leadership competencies and the better developmental activities, improper selection of young and new leaders for leadership positions and lack of conducive organizational culture are the basic challenges that hinder the effectiveness of leadership development efforts of public sector organizations. Finally, recommended that EWPSOs should understand the importance of developing many leaders in today's complex situation to address the fast increasing need and demand of the society.
Assessing Second Year English Language Major Students’ Attitudes Towards Using English As A Medium Of Communication In TheClassroom: The Case Of Wolkite University Students
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2019-03) Kamila A/Zinab, Kamila
The study aimed at assessing second year English language and literature students’ attitudes towards using English as a medium of communication in the classroom level. 12 students were participant of the study. Comprehensive and purposive sampling techniques were applied to select the participants for questionnaire, and interview, respectively. 12 questions were distributed to the students to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Interview (semi structured) was conducted with six students to get qualitative data and finally analyzed by the researcher. The data that gathered through closed-ended questionnaire was analyzed quantitatively by using percentage and tabulation. The data that gathered through open-ended questionnaire and interview was analyzed through the qualitative and quantitative method. The finding of this study revealed that most of the second year English language and literature students have positive attitudes towards using English language as a medium of communication.
Assessing the Challenges of Administrative Decentralization in Local Government Offices: The Case of Wolkite Town Municipality.
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) FETLEWORK TEKALIGNE
The main objective of this study where to assess institutional and implementation challenges of administrative e decentralization the case Wolkite town municipality. To pursue the objective of the study, the researcher used primary data gathered through questionnaires and key informant interviews, while secondary data was obtained from document analysis and consulting various literatures. Simple random sampling method was employed to select sample questionnaire respondents and informants for a key informant interview were selected purposively. From 146 research participants, 10 were interviewed and 136 were requested via paper questions, of which 4/four/ were not returned. Data collected by surveyed questionnaires was entered into SPSS for statistical analysis, and interviews were analyzed qualitatively using thematic based arrangement the analyze sis of data. The question examining the legal and institutional challenges of administrative decentralization, identifying implementation challenges of administrative decentralization and suggest possible recommendations that improve the implementation of administrative decentralization in the Wolkite town municipal office. The assessment on challenge of institution administration de centralization result of the study. Thecause of challenges where lack of commitment, lack of co ordination and cooperation, political intervention, unsettled urban boundary and No modify urban plan. According to the document analysis made in the institutional structures of the municipality, the findings portray that the problem was the misuse of the budget, leadership instability, and poor management
Assessing the challenges of micro and small enterprises in Dalocha town
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2021-07) Abdulmejid Admama
This study focused on assessing the challenges of micro and small enterprises in Dalocha town. The objective of the study was to investigate the challenges of micro and small enterprises in Dalocha town. In order to achieve the objective of this study, the study used both qualitative and quantitative research approach. The study data was gathered from primary and secondary sources and examined through probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Accordingly, challenges of financial facilities, marketing networks, infrastructural faculties, management efficiency as well as socio political situations had very high effects and negative effect on the progress of the studied area Micro and Small Enterprises. Thus Considering the output of the research, the study were recommended the following; Micro Finance Institutions interest rate is so high and loan payback period is short, to reduce this challenges the study recommend Micro Finance Institutions reconsiders the procedures, to reduced management efficiency among member groups of Micro and Small Enterprises. The study recommends that the Woreda bureau of Micro and Small Enterprises may provide experts technical assistance and training according to the nature of the enterprises.
ASSESSING THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN RURAL ROAD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: THE CASE OF GUMMER WOREDA GURAGE ZONE, CENTRAL ETHIOPIA
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2023-11) ZEKIWOS ATFUAYE
Community participation plays an irreplaceable role in the effectiveness of any development project. This means that no development work at any level can be successful without community participation. Based on that, the main objective of this study is: to examine the role of community participation in road development project in the case of Gummer woreda Gurage zone. The study used a mixed research approach and method of data collection were written questionnaires, interview and document analysis. In order to collect the required data, the study used multi stage sampling technique through this at first stage clustering sampling technique second stage simple random sampling technique and at third stage stratify sample sampling technique were employed. Subsequently, the data has been collected from these 151 samples and from 9 key informants and analyzed by using data analysis methods of descriptive statistics for qualitative research and graph, percentage and cross tabulation data analysis method for quantitative research. Findings show themajority of the respondent agreed that participation of the community in the area of road development is very high and their contribution is manifested in different ways, sharing money, by sacrificing their labor and giving their time to coordinate and managed the project. On the other hand, the result of the study confirm that there are structural, economic and institutional problems that prevent community participation from being effective at the required level, and recommended that to reduce the high cost of bringing select material from distant places, the district government should work with the neighboring districts and zones to produce gravel.
ASSESSMENT OF ACADEMIC STAFF TURNOVER IN PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: THE CASE OF WOLKITE UNIVERSITY
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2024-05) ENDALE SETOTAW
Massive exits from jobs in higher educational institutions have been observed in many higher educational institutions. Literatures revealed that lack of adequate salaries and allowances, housing and promotion lack of career development for university instructors are among the possible reason for massive exit. This study was aimed at assess staff turnover trend, assess the staff satisfaction about psychographics and socio-demographic factors, and determinants of staff turnover intention in public higher educational institutions in Ethiopia. Both descriptive and econometric methods (probit model) of data analysis were employed. Random sampling method was used to select sample academic staff from their respective college/school of Wolkite University. In general, a total 91 respondents were used for gathering the required data. The study showed that the annual average rate of academic staff turnover has been increasing since 2010 EC. Academic staffs were moderately satisfied with their job, innovative working behavior, co-worker support, carrier management, academic staff happiness, leader’s member exchange, and work life balance with this stated psychographics and socio-demographic factors. The probit model result showed that job satisfaction, carrier management, coworker support, gender, educational qualification and experience are the major factors affecting employer turnover intention positively and negatively in public higher educational institutions. At last, the study forwarded possible mechanisms such as strengthen employee job satisfaction, developing carrier management guideline, supporting social capital among academic staff, offering phD educational scholarship, and better management for senior experienced staff management are required.
Assessment of Budget Preparation (Planning), Utilization (Implementation) and Control System in Higher Education: The Case of Wolkite University in Central Ethiopia
(wku, 2025-09-07) HAMDU AHMED
This study investigated the budgeting and financial management practices at Wolkite University, focusing on the alignment between planned budgets and actual expenditures, budgetary control systems, auditing processes, and overall effectiveness. The research aimed to evaluate the extent of budget utilization, identify the status of budgetary control systems, and examine the auditing procedures in place. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach: a survey administered to university employees to gather quantitative data on budget preparation, utilization, and control, and interviews with key administrative staff to gain qualitative insights into challenges and inefficiencies in budget implementation. The study also analyzed existing budget reports and audit records. The findings indicated a generally positive yet mixed assessment of budget practices. While employees expressed confidence in their understanding of budget planning and alignment with strategic goals, concerns remained regarding practical budget utilization, departmental coordination, and delayed reporting. The university’s budget control framework was robust, but issues such as underutilization, overutilization, and idle cash accumulation persisted. The internal audit system, including compliance, performance, and financial audits, was effective but hindered by outdated systems and resistance to change. Recommendations for improvement included enhancing feedback mechanisms, refining reporting practices, addressing inefficiencies in budget utilization and cash management, and investing in advanced auditing tools and auditor training. The study concluded that while Wolkite University had a solid foundation in budgetary control, significant improvements were necessary in interdepartmental coordination, timely preparation of budget reports, and the effective utilization of resources
ASSESSMENT OF CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE CASE OF GURAGE ZONE
(WOLKITE UNIVERSITY, 2024-04) ZAKIR ABDELHY
The aim of the study was to assess the challenges and prospects of private investment in the Gurage zone. The study was survey type which was collected from sample respondents of 70 investors out of 231 investors in the zone. The study has employed survey questionnaire so as to gather data from large number of respondents with in specified period of time. The study used stratified random sampling design because it endeavored to stratify the population in different sectors of investment. Within the strata to select the respondents, simple random sampling; method was used. The study was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods. The study revealed that Accessibility of natural resource, followed by infrastructure, next cheap labor, and good governance are the main opportunities. As indicated the survey cheap labor, good governance rate the least from the alternatives. As investors responded that they faced different types of challenges at beginning of the investors face obstacle (challenge), only 35.3%of private investors satisfied by their tax payment. because of such challenges 33.8% of private investors have plan to shut down their investment projects . And the respondents indicated that they observed the coordination problem at Gurage zone I investment office, by 55.9%. The factors that affected the investment decision shows that good investment environment, the feasibility of the investment project, the existence of potential investment opportunity in the zone and good infrastructure are significant variables that had positive contribution to the private investment activities of the zone.
ASSESSMENT OF CHILD LABOR EXPLOITATION AMONG STREET VENDORS IN THE INFORMAL URBAN ECONOMY: A CASE STUDY OF WOLKITE TOWN.
(wku, 2025-04-02) ABREHAM BIRHANU
This study evaluates the exploitation of child labour among street vendors in Wolkite Town's informal urban economy. The study uses a descriptive case study design and a combination of research techniques to quantify and understand the conditions of child labour in this setting. A combination of random and non-random selection methods were used to choose representative samples of child street vendors. Focus group discussion, interviews, and questionnaires were used to gather data. Qualitative data were examined descriptively and by triangulation, whereas survey data were examined using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results indicate that child labour exploitation is prevalent among street vendors in Wolkite Town, with children often working long hours in adverse conditions, lacking access to education and fair compensation, which hinders their overall development. The study identifies poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and insufficient regulatory measures as primary factors contributing to this exploitation. To mitigate these issues, the study recommends enhancing economic opportunities for families, strengthening regulatory frameworks to protect child workers, and improving access to education and career development for these kids.