GOOD GOVERNANCE PRACTICES FOR THE BETTER PERFORMANCES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION: A PILOT STUDY IN HAWASSA CITY ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the good governance practices and its impacts on the performances of early childhood care and education in Hawassa City administration as a pilot study. The sample for the questionnaire schedule consisted of 143 individuals, including 125 teachers and 43 directors. The sample was distributed across 43(29 private and 14 government schools) proportionally. Respondents were selected using simple random sampling.  In addition 6 experts and leaders were interviewed. An embedded mixed method design was employed. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analytical techniques were applied. The overall correlation analysis result showed that the proposed independent variables are likely to significantly influence preschool performance. The regression analysis revealed that from the predictor variables, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness in government schools and transparency, strategic vision, and the bylaw in private schools were found to be the significant factors that likely predict preschool performance. The pilot study found that there is no separate governance structure and budget allocations for pre-schools education, hence, the current standing of the ECCE indicated that the mean overall scores of performance were found to be 2.58,which shows that respondents are moderately satisfied by their pre-schools performance. Based on the findings, one may conclude that the quality of education may not improve unless these problems are taken into account and solved soon.  Finally, the study suggests the impacts of governance problems on pre-school performance would be addressed through prioritizing investments for pre-schools with establishing appropriate independent governance structures by giving great attention to the program, as ECCE programming has a great foundation for children to ensure success at later years.