Assessment of role performance of stakeholders in the management of decentralized primary education in Kyalulangira sub county-Rakai District

Abstract

DISSERTATION: The study was conducted in Kyalulangira Sub County, in Rakai district. It was a consequences of realization and desire to find intricate issues which for long, have perpetuated poor performance in the sub-county. In response to the above, this study assessed and evaluated stakeholder role performance in the management of decentralized primary education. A number of instruments were used in the study. They include questionnaires, interviews, informal tests and observation. Furthermore, a number of stakeholders were studied. Owing to limitation of resources, focus was given to SMCs, LC III and pupils from the sample schools. All the above provided data which was analyzed using Minitab. Ten government schools were studied and from each school, sixteen pupils and three school management committees were studied, besides the twelve LC III members from Kyalulangira. The study was guided by the following research questions: - To what extent (under decentralization) are stakeholders involved in the management of primary school education? What problems do the stakeholders meet in their day to day management of primary education?

Arising from the foregoing it was found that stakeholders had performed some roles better and others otherwise due to ignorance of roles. Generally speaking parents had not played their roles well as laid down in the guidelines, policy and roles to stakeholders. There was rampant absenteeism by headteachers, teachers and pupils in schools leading to poor standards. There was also reduction in participation by parents and over-dependence on government in the development, financing and construction of schools. Moreover, a smaller proportion of the population was actually involved in the management of schools and a wide gap was found to exist between schools and communities. It was recommended that parents, communities and other stakeholders be educated on their roles so they can support primary education. The customized performance targets be enforced in schools so as to ensure sanity, efficiency and effectiveness of education system. It would also be better if appointing authorities tagged promotion on efficiency and effectiveness of headteachers while government trained and advanced loans to SMCs and FBs so they can generate income for the development of schools. Finally, the researcher suggested further study on parent teachers’ relations and its effects on pupils’ performance.