Teachers’, Students’ and Academic Support Staff Views on the Effectiveness of Female Students Academic Support Programmes at Bahir Dar University

It is known that education is the determinant factor that has direct relation to development of a society and a country as a whole. As education contributes directly to the growth of national income by improving the productive capacities of the labor force, all states and governments in the world are giving prior attention among other sectors. According to the United Nations Population Fund, countries that have made social investments in health, family planning, and education have slower population growth and faster economic growth than countries that have not made such investments (UNFPA, 2002). Hence, education is a key part of strategies to improve individuals' well-being and societies' economic and social development. However, for education to bring the aforementioned outcomes in a country, all citizens must get equal opportunities regardless of their sex, age, socio-economic status, etc. In doing so, both male and female citizens should get this opportunity to invest their full potential in all aspects of development (economic, political and social). Even, some scholars suggested female education to be prioritized over that of males. For instance, Sullerot (1974) wrote, “Without female education progress can be transmitted to each generation either not at all or very slowly, since it cannot be passed on in the home.” Asserting the importance of women education in predicting the educated generation of the future, Bown (1990) said, "Women bear and raise the children, so women prepare the future, how can a future be good if women are ignored?" Similarly, Ballara (1992) indicated the importance of educating women for wellbeing of the family since they play a significant role as educators of future generation, fulfill economic functions and are vital for the survival of the family. According to him, women education, moreover, contributes for their personal development as acquiring it enable women to increase their self-esteem, improve their income earning capabilities and to play active role in the family and community decision-making. Similarly, as to Asresash, Shinebaum and Kassahun (2002) educating women is the most important measure as it enhance their social status and self - image, empower them to make decisions independently and result in the well-being of society in which they are living. Hence, female education must be given equal, if not more than, weight to male education