Introduction

In 2004, ‘Faculty of Education’, presently rechristened as School of Pedagogical and Behavioral Sciences (SPBS) came into being when Arba Minch Institute of Water Technology got scaled up as Arba Minch University. Its objective was to train educators (from social and natural sciences), planners, managers and development workers and achieved tremendous development since its origin till 2010.

Then the teacher training policy was changed and ‘Faculty of Education’ got bifurcated into College of Social Science & Humanities and College of Natural Sciences. And two departments especially Pedagogical Sciences and Psychology were hosted by the former and both continued under it till 2016. The department of Psychology in particular was established in June 2010, and it’s these two departments which paved the way for SPBS’ establishment on October 2016.

From the beginning, SPBS focuses on teaching-learning, short and long-term trainings pertaining to teachers’ professional development, behavior-centric activities, research and community services.

Since establishment, SPBS has achieved a lot in terms of structuring and recruiting appropriate personnel, expanding UG and Master programs, educational outreach and likely to do more in the years to come.

Here, the teaching-learning process is designed in accordance with the Higher Education Proclamation, characterized by integrated classrooms, cooperative learning and supported by available instructional technologies. Its student-centric that promotes active learning and critical thinking as it works for placements, organizes seminars and manages internship.

School is also striving hard to ensure quality education by stimulating problem-solving and demand-driven research, carry out community services, establish libraries with latest books and journals, etc. the task is overwhelming yet we believe in reaching there in due course!

Vision

School of Pedagogical and Behavioral Sciences aspires to be a leading educational institute in the region and across Ethiopia in education by enhancing equity, relevance and quality in education at all levels by 2025.

Mission

School of Pedagogical and Behavioral Sciences has a mission of offering quality education, conducting demand-driven researchers on education & behavior, rendering community services and empowering graduates with required knowledge and apt skills to be exemplary in the field.

Objective

The objective of the school is to produce qualified professionals in the fields of education and psychology to serve society and offer their expertise to university and surrounding community.

Goals

· Produce competent teachers, administrators, counselors and researchers

· Contribute to the nation’s effort to enhance quality of education

· Design, revise and harmonize curricula of different academic programs

· Provide short and long-term educational and psychological trainings

· Conduct problem-solving and demand-driven researches

· Implement post-graduate diploma in teaching program for school teachers

· Implement post-graduate diploma in school leadership program for school leaders

· Render community services in the area of educational and psychological sciences

· Run undergraduate and Master programs in the field of education and psychology

· Liaise for university on projects & programs of local, regional, national and international organizations working the areas of education

· Improve English language through short-term and long term trainings

· Organize psychological service center to cater to students and community’s needs

· Establish psychological demonstration lab, disability resource center for students

· Work with schools, woreda, zonal and regional education bureaus, Govt. and NGOs

Students’ statistics

School has 423 students, who are pursuing different programs.

Academic Program

Master:

1. Educational Psychology

2. Curriculum and Inclusive Studies

3. Special Needs and Inclusive Education

4. Educational Planning & Management

UG:

1. Psychology

2. Adult Education & Community Development

3. Special Needs & Inclusive Education

4. Educational Planning & Management

Staff Profile

Of 29 total staff (5 Asst. Professors, 22 Master and 2 BA-holders); 3 (10%) are female, nine on study leave, while others are on duty.

 

S.

No

NAMES

Education level

Field of specialization

Current Status

1

Dr DamtewDarza

PhD

Educational psychology

On duty

2

Dr. Eyob Ayenew

PhD

Applied Developmental Psychology

On duty

3

Dr Chombe Anagaw

PhD

Comparative Education

On duty

4

Dr. Digafe Darza

PhD

Educational Leadership & Policy

On Duty

5

Mr Asaminew Dires

MA

Curriculum Studies

Study leave

6

Mr Yohannes Tigro

MA

Developmental Psychology

Study leave

7

Mr Thomas Tola

MA

Developmental Psychology

On duty

8

Mr Markos Kanko

MA

Counseling Psychology

On duty

9

Mr ZebeneTemtime

MA

Developmental Psychology

On duty

10

Mr Girma Mekuria

MA

Educational Leadership & Policy

Study leave

11

Mr Yihunselam Asrat

MA

Social Psychology

On duty

12

Mr MulukenTesfaye

MA

Special Needs and Inclusive  Education

On duty

13

Mr Kelemu Zelalem

MA

Educational Policy and Educational Psychology

Study leave

14

Mr Tefera Gebabo

MA

Adult Education and Lifelong Education

On duty

15

Mr Anilay Brehanu

MA

Adult Education and Lifelong Education

On duty

16

Mr Zelalem Zakarias

MA

Educational Leadership

Study leave

17

W/ro Meaza Genemo

BA

MA in Social Psychology

Study leave

18

Mr Matusala Hoja

MA

MA in School Leadership

Study leave

19

Mr Solomon Sapo

MA

MA EDPM

On duty

20

Mr Beta Tsamto

MA

MA EDPM

Study leave

21

Mr Demissie Tefera

MA

MA in Counseling Psychology

On duty

22

Mr Ephrem Tadesse

MA

MA in Special Needs and Inclusive  Education

On duty

23

W/roWudnesh Aschenaki

MA

MA in Special Needs and Inclusive  Education

On duty

24

Mr Mandado Gizachew

MA

MA in Curriculum

On duty

25

Ms Nuhamin Yenesew

BA

Psychology

Study leave

26

Mr Samuel G/Tsadik

MA

Adult Education and Community Development

On duty