The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of the management of material resourcesrnin the preparatory schools of Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State; and hence to discover ifrndifferences exist among teachers, ETB members and principals in perceiving the problemsrnidentified To this end, answers to basic questions pertaining to the management of schoolrnmaterial resources, which consists Material resources planning, acquisitions and supplement ofrneducational materials, Organization and staffing material resources, Management, purchasingrneducational materials, production of educational materials, warehousing, Allocation andrndistribution of educational material resources, materials handling, proper use of materialrnresources, efficiency and effectiveness of resources management, standards in educationalrnmaterials, disposition, Responsibility and authority in material resources management werernsought.rnFollowing a review of the literature related to the problem understudy, a survey questionnairernwas developed, Pilot tested, modified and distributed to a sample of 105 teachers, 30 ETBrnmembers and 5 principals drawn from 5 preparatory schools of Arsi zone. Of the respective totalrnsample size of the three study groups, 92.4 percent teachers, 90 percent ETB members and 100rnpercent of the principals, filled in and returned the questionnaire.rnSome of the major findings include:rnThe preparatory schools were not in a position to manage their material resourcesrnproperly.rnThe necessary guidelines to manage material resources were not disseminated to thernusers.rnAppropriate number of man power was not assigned to the stores of the sample schools.rnThere was poor coordination among the concerned bodies to implement managerialrnfunctions, in the system.rnManaging and controlling of material resources was leji to the store keepersrnMaterial resources were not identified, arranged, recorded and coded properly.rnMost of the principals and the administrative staff in these schools did not have thernnecessary professional training and experience in relation to their position.rn- Most of the concerned bodies seldom participate in material resources management.rnRecommendations for efficient resources management include:rnThe managerial functions of principals and administrative staff should be strengthened andrntraining on management of material resources should be given.rnThe schools should closely work with teachers, students, parents and community to securerneffective and efficient resources management. Allempts could be made to Improve thernprofessional training and experience of administrative staff