The main purpose of this study was to examine the challenges of Alternative Basic Education inrnselected pastoralist areas of Oromia regional state.rnDescriptive survey method was employed to gather large variety of data related to the subject underrnthe study. Samples were drawn from ABE learners, facilitators, educational officials, parents, CMCrnmembers and influential elders. Totally 378 respondents were included in the study.rnQuestionnaires, interviews and documentary analysis were used to collect the necessary data.rnStatistical tools used to analyze the da ta obtained were percentage, mean, standard deviation,rnweighted mean and one-way ANOVA. To select sample population purposive (jor zones,rneducational officials, and facilitators), convenience (jor parents, CMC members and elders) andrnsimple random sampling techniques (for woredas, ABE centers, and learners) were employed.rnThe findings of the study revealed that parents fear for their children to leave pastoral way of lifernwas among socio-cultural, high demand for child lobar one of the socio-economic, inflexiblerncenter/school calendar and absence of supervision were among institution related factors impedingrnenrollment and participation of pastoral children in ABE program. Moreover, it was revealed thatrnabsence or low remuneration, absence of ABE strategy and guideline and low coordination andrnleading role of local administration influence the enrollment and participation of pastoral children inrnABE program.rnTherefore, recommendations suggested were, understanding thoroughly and recognize pastoralistrnway of life as an important way of life, opening ABE centers in September and closing in June asrncurrently in practice, has to be changed to mid March and December respectively ,OEB has tornprepare and implement ABE strategy and guideline and the local administration has to showrnpolitical commitments and build administrative capacities to mobilize locally available resources forrnthe success of the program