PROVISION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR PASTORALIST CHILDREN IN NYANGATOM WOREDA: CHALLENGES AND ALTERNATIVES MA THESIS MOY TOPO MURALE (M.T.M) SEPTEMBER, 2016 ARBAMINCH, ETHIOPIA i PROVISION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR PASTORALIST CHILDREN IN NYANGATOM WOREDA: CHALLENGES AND ALTERNATIVES MOY TOPO MURALE (M.T.M) A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY, COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES, SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE MASTERS DEGREE OF ARTS IN EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY SEPTEMBER, 2016 ARBAMINCH, ETHIOPIA ii DECLARATION I hereby declare that this MA thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university, and all sources of material used for this thesis have been duly acknowledged. Name: Moy Topo Murale Signature: ____________________________ Date: _____________________________ iii SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY ADVISOR APPROVAL SHEET OF THESIS PROPOSAL SUBMISSION This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Provision of Primary Education for Pastoralist Children in Nyangatom Woreda: Challenges and Alternatives” submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master’s with specialization in Educational Psychology, the graduate program of the Department of Psychology, and has been carried out by Moy Topo Murale, Id. No: RMA/056/07, under my supervision. Therefore, I recommend that the student has fulfilled the requirements and hence hereby can submit the thesis to the department for defense. Eyob Ayenew (PhD) _______________ ____________ Name of Principal advisor Signature Date iv SCHOOL OF GRADATE STUDIES ARBA MINCH UNIVERSITY EXAMINERS’ THESIS APPROVAL SHEET We, the undersigned, members of the board of the Examiners of the final open defense by Moy Topo Murale have read and evaluated reviewed his Thesis work entitled “Provision of Primary Education for Pastoralist Children in Nyangatom Woreda: Challenges and Alternatives” and examined the candidate’s oral presentation. This is, therefore, to certify that the Thesis has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master’s with specialization in Educational Psychology. Ato Anteneh Alem _______________ ____________ Name of the chairperson Signature Date Eyob Ayenew (PhD) ______________ ____________ Name of Principal advisor Signature Date Anto Arkato (PhD) ______________ ____________ Name of internal Examiner Signature Date Kasahun Tilahun (PhD) ____________ ____________ Name of External Examiner Signature Date _____________________ ______________ _____________ SGS Approval Signature Date Final approval and acceptance of the thesis is contingent upon the submission of the final three copies of the thesis to the department of the candidate on the satisfaction of the advisor. Stamp of Department Date: ____________ v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I want to give my thanks to Almighty God for giving me the strength to start and go through with my studies. I would like particularly to extend my heart-felt acknowledgement and appreciate the efforts, guidance and encouragement of my advisor Eyob Ayenew (PhD) in his follow-up and shaping me successfully to carry out this paper from the beginning to the end. My special gratitude goes to Mr. Philemon Nakali, Luke Glawocki and Assefa Derbew for their encouragement, material and financial assistance they supported me in this paper. I would also like to thank my friends; Molaleign Kesesie, Abebe Arba and Psychology department lecturers for their best wish and encouragement. I particularly express my appreciation to Nyangatom Woreda administrator office for its commitment, financial assistance and encouragement. I also would like to thank the Nyangatom Woreda education officers, teachers, supervisors, students and pastoral community representatives involved in the study for their participation. I gratefully acknowledge my family for their encouragement and support especially to Ekal Nettir, Mugabe George, Atabo Topo, my mother Akuru Ekeno and my lovely B.M.T for helping me strive towards the realization of my potentials, initiation, encouragement and moral support. Finally, I cannot mention all the people who assisted me in one way or the other during my research work. However, I feel my acknowledgement would be incomplete if I did not appreciate the contributions and the goodwill of all the friends and relatives who assisted me both materially and morally during my research work. Listing all of you would require a separate report of its own. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CONTENT PAGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS....................................................................................................... vi LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................x LIST OF ABBREVIATION AND ACRONYMS ................................................................... xiiii ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................... xivii CHAPTER ONE 1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................1 1.1. Background of the Study ......................................................................................................1 1.2. Statement of the Problem......................................................................................................4 1.3. Research Questions ..............................................................................................................6 1.4. Objectives of the Study.........................................................................................................6 1.4.1. General Objective .......................................................................................................6 1.4.2. Specific Objectives .....................................................................................................6 1.5. Significance of the Study ......................................................................................................6 1.6. Scope of the Study................................................................................................................7 1.7. Operational Definition of Terms ...........................................................................................7 1.8. Organization of the Study .....................................................................................................7 CHAPTER TWO 2. LITERATURE REVIEW .....................................................................................................8 2.1. Historical Overview of Education in Ethiopia .......................................................................8 2.2. Dimensions of Educational Provision in Ethiopia .................................................................9 2.2.1 Access .........................................................................................................................9 2.2.2. Equity.........................................................................................................................9 2.2.3. Quality ..................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.4. Efficiency ................................................................................................................. 10 2.3. Education in Pastoralist Areas of Ethiopia .......................................................................... 11 2.4. Challenges in Provision of Primary Education for Pastoral Children ................................... 12 2.4.1. Socio-Cultural Factors .............................................................................................. 12 vii 2.4.1.1. Perceptions of Society towards Girls’ Education .................................................... 12 2.4.1.2. Parental Attitude towards Education ...................................................................... 13 2.4.1.3. Lack of Role Models ............................................................................................. 13 2.4.1.4. Lack of Awareness ................................................................................................ 13 2.4.2. Socio-Economic Challenges ..................................................................................... 14 2.4.2.1. Parental Educational Background .......................................................................... 14 2.4.2.2. The Demand for Child Labor ................................................................................. 15 2.4.2.3. Poverty .................................................................................................................. 15 2.4.2.4. Insecurity............................................................................................................... 16 2.4.3. School Related Challenges ....................................................................................... 17 2.4.3.1. Curriculum Relevance ........................................................................................... 17 2.4.3.2. Language (Medium of Instruction) ........................................................................ 18 2.4.3.3. Distance from School ...........................................................................................