Current Project

Aste Yohannes Preparatory
Library Media Center Project

Background Information:

Atse Yohannes is no more a high school. It is a preparatory school. Since 2001, grades 1-4 are called First Cycle Primary (Elementary); 5-8 Second Cycle Primary (Junior High); and grades 9 -10 are High Schools. Students still take the National Examination Test to determine for a high school enrollment.

At tenth grade, all students must take another examination called Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE). Based on their results, students will be streamlined into academic, vocational and technical schools. Those who are picked for academic will attend at the preparatory schools.

Currently, there are about 4000 students who came from 32 surrounding high schools (see details on last page) in Atse Yohannes Preparatory School. About 70% of them are studding in the Natural Science and 30 % in the Social Science areas. At the end the second year all students will take another National Examination which will determine their admission to universities. If they pass, they got to choose two majors and two campuses, and then depending on their test score, government assigns those majors and campuses.

At this time, the school we knew has more responsibilities and offers more opportunities to the students. It has become a bridge and a main pass way gate for higher education. About 25% of all students who join universities from the State of Tigre are from Atse Yohannes Preparatory. That’s why AYAA is determined to help the students, strengthen the curriculum, and empower the learning environment of the school through the Library Media Center Project.

What are the goals and objectives of the project?

As the old Chinese proverb says - “If you give a man a fish, he will eat it for a day. If you teach him how to fish, he will eat it for a life time.” The goal is clear and very simple. To build a strong LMC program for the school where students will be introduced to relevant books, other reading materials and information technology which will help them meet with the challenges of the 21st Century at all levels of their lives. To help the students in their studies and connect them with the rest of the world as well as help them to become lifelong learners and users of the information technology.

What other benefits does the project have?

The experience of being familiarized with Library Media Center at a preparatory school level will be of great help to the students when they attend higher education, and will also enhance their capability of searching for information.
Studies after studies have proven that schools with active Library Media Center programs have higher rate of academic achievement.
This project is a good investment for both the school education system, as well as for the future wellbeing of the students. Today, as always, a well educated citizenry and a well trained workforce are crucial for any country’s development.

How will the Project be managed / coordinated?

AYAA Board will be responsible for the entire project tasks and will make all major decisions. In the Past AYAA Mekelle has been an instrumental in fully executing and implementing all decisions during AYAA’s former two projects. AYAA Mekelle’s role on the current project will not be any lesser. In fact they will have much more role to play since this is much bigger and larger project. Normal contacts of the board with AYAA Mekelle and the school will continue and the board will also facilitate all the legal and financial delivery matters and mechanisms on a timely manner.
In the mean time, AYAA has also formed a five member Library Media Center Advisory Committee (LMCAC) which works in an advisory capacity, and support the board in all LMC matters.

What are the duties and responsibilities of LMCAC?

The Board will make broad and general decisions in nature, and it will be the responsibility of the LMCAC to go and explore all the technical and detailed parts of the project in accordance to the guidelines given by the Board.
The following will also be part of the LMCAC’s duties:-

• Use all internal and external expert personnel to get the job done;
• initiate, research, study, anything about the project and make recommendations to the board;
• develop budgets, make schedules, and create strategic plans and report project accomplishments and new developments;
• assist in selecting the site, building design and in finding appropriate print and non print materials, furniture, equipment, and other materials and services providers for the LMC;
• have status reporting meetings with all the stakeholders;
• be an ardent advocate for the school’s LMC project and promote the program;
• explore all venues of human, and material resources as well as fund raising activities;
• Focus on the local authorities to make sure everything is in-line,and the project gets adequate on-going administrative support and cooperation of all actors.

How long will members of the LMCAC serve?

Currently there are five members of the committee. They will stay until the completion of the project, and probably a little longer. They will make sure the building, and anything and every thing is done according to the plan (contract) promise made. They will check the quality and quantity of delivered materials, equipment and services as to whether they are or not properly placed and are well functioning.

What is the duration of the project?

We are going to build a stand alone, LMC. The students are very much excited about the project, and the school has already designated space area for the LMC Project, did a land survey, ground breaking ceremony, and is ready for AYAA’s next moves. The LMCAC has done all the preliminary studies and detailed information about the project, and got the initial design of the project. After some components and final touches of the design are done the next stage will be preparing for the construction work and getting ready for other components of the project. At the same time, if the board manages to finish some standard and legal procedures, we can start the project while continuing fund raising activities and get it done within the next two years.

How much does the whole project cost?

Under the current designed plan, the library Media Center is going to be in a space area of about 1000 sq. meters. The designers current cost estimate is about 3000 Birr ($200.00) per Sq. meter and accordingly, total cost will be 3,000,000.00 Eth. Birr ($200,000.00). But as time goes by, there will defiantly be some changes on the cost. Cost of labor and building materials may increase. There is also additional cost for the programs, books, equipment, services and other materials that we need. We are hopping total cost to be somewhere between $250,000 and $300,000. The Library Media Center Advisory Committee will do all the efforts to get an accurate assessment of all the above. When all the detailed information is in, the board will be in better position to come up with a fairly close cost estimate for the project.

How can individuals support the project?

1. Make a special donation
2. Be an active member and pay membership dues
3. Urge others to join AYAA
4. Participate in local and AYAA Reunion Fund Raising activities
5. Take responsibilities in AYAA’s leadership committee
6. Become an advocate of AYAA’s mission and its projects
7. Become the LMC Project sponsor at any of the following levels

Your sponsorship money directly goes to the Library Media Center Project fund, and your donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. A receipt indicating the tax deductible portion of your sponsorship will be provided.