THE ROLE OF PARENT TEACHER AND STUDENT ASSOCIATION IN STUDENTS' LEARNING ENGAGEMENT: THE CASE OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF NORTH WOLLO ZONE, AMHARA REGION

The main purpose of this study was to assess the roles of Parent Teacher Students Association (PTSA) in students’ learning engagements in Secondary Schools of North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region. It also conducted to identify the main encounters they faced in schools and the possible measures to be taken to the identified problems. To realize this, the researcher used descriptive survey design, and gathered data from 90 teachers, 42 PTSA members, three Principals and   two secondary school cluster supervisors and 425 students. Thus, the PTSA members, principals and supervisor were selected by using available sampling, and teachers and students were selected randomly. Questionnaires, interview, document analysis and Focus group discussion were the main data gathering instruments. The collected quantitative data were analyzed by using t-test, (Mean, standard divination, T-value, degree of freedom, Sig-value (2-tailed), and mean difference), frequency, percentage. The qualitative data also analyzed thematically. PTSA helped schools to improve the relationship between the school and the community, it planned to do school activities and budget utilization, it worked to scale up students’ enrollment to accomplishment their learning; however, the findings showed that PTSA did not play its roles in the setting very well; the findings indicated  that the challenges of PTSA were shortages of resources, lack of sufficient training and experience sharing programs, supervision supports, lack of clear understanding on their responsibilities, lack of interest and commitment; lack of good communication among PTSAs members; misunderstanding of their responsibilities; principals and teachers were unwilling to work with PTSA. The findings also indicated the possible solutions that government should have standardized criteria to select PTSA members.  Teachers, students and parents should designate better representatives; PTSA member need to get regular trainings and has its own office at school level. The PTSA should have plans, and it needs to have enough budgets to carryout school tasks. Education officials should check and balance PTSA’s educational activities. From the findings the researcher recommended that educational experts should support PTSA in training, and finance.