The main objective of this study was aiu-zed 11' .il1Ve!itig(ltjllg. (hI! . q,PPQrll1lljtie$ . ci.;ldrnchallenges of teaching and learning in Sidamigna as a medium of instruction in the .firs!rnC) de primal) schools of idama Zone and Awassa Kifle Ketema Administrative To'n.rnAlthough a lot of effort has been exerted in promoting Sidamigna as a medium ofrnillstruction in the ZOlle, much remains to be done and other problems to be tackled.rnHellce, Ihi paper is specifically aimed al identifying those problems and suggest possiblernsolutions to the problems identified. To achieve this end, a descriptive survey method wasrnemployed. The source of the data for the study were students. teachers, principals.rnparents and education bureau officials. The sampling techniques applied in the studyrnwere simple random sampling, purposive and availability sampling (te~hniques) .rnThe illstruments used to collect the data were questionnaires, interviews andfocu grouprndiscussions. The data collected were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitativel)'. Therndata gathered though questionnaires were analyzed by using frequency counts and theirrnpercentage " where as the data gathered through intervievv ([ndfoclIs grollp disClIssiollsrnwere analyzed using descriptive statements and/or explanations.rnThe findings of the study indicated that students, teachers prinCipals, education bureallrnofficials and parents were supportive of using Sidamigna as a medium of instruction. Inrnthe study it was also found out that textbooks are prepared for the students are in linernwith their age and ability. The students also confirmed that their learning ill their motherrntongue has also helped them to follow their lessons with out difficult)" to activelyrnparticipate in the classroom and to feel proud and develop confidence in their OMllrnlangllage/ or being used as a medium of instruction. However, the majority of the srlldenlsrnand parents preferred if Amharic and English were used as a medium of instruction, thernmajority of whom chose English.rnThe findings of the study also reveled that there is deficiency of educational materials.rnTextbooks are in short supply; supplementary reading materials, references, teachersrnguides and library facilities are almost absent. Moreover, lack of COllllllitmell! andrninterest by sOllie teachers to teach in the language, a mismatch benveen Ihe !rainingrnprogram and the knowledge gained when put in actual practice, shortage of Ihe dllrationrnof the training program for teachers, lack of involvement by parel7/S in school activitiesrnwere the major problems identified during the study.rnBased on the findings, supply of the necessary curricula materials, upgrading unqualifiedrnteachers, supervising and evaluating the training program at TTl, persuasion of students,rnparents and the community to ensure participation and suggested. Moreover, further inrndepth investigation of the problems at all levels in also recommended