Barriers to Quality Education: Exploring the Perception of Government Primary School Principals - Evidence from Sebeta, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate government primary school principals’ perceptions of barriers to quality education in schools. The study also identifies factors that impede the smooth functioning of the teaching and learning process in the schools. A case study design with qualitative methods was applied. Data were collected through semi-structured interview questions from seventeen school principals, and school observations in eight schools. Accordingly, the barriers to quality education were categorized under four premises: issues related to students, teachers, school facilities and management. Though the principals were aware of the concept of quality education and the factors affecting the provision of quality education, because of administrative work load, teachers’ health difficulties, students’ disciplinary problems, weak commitment from the city education office as well as the community, and the scarcity of teaching materials, the principals fell short of maintaining quality education in their schools.