Managing the implementation of universal primary education policy in Ugandan primary schools

Abstract

This research study sought to understand “how the implementation of universal primary education (UPE) policy in Ugandan primary schools is managed”. Furthermore, in exploring the challenges faced as they relate to UPE planning and organising, the research sought to provide evidence-based solutions in form of recommendations to address the planning and organising challenges identified. Considering the above, in order to understand how the implementation of UPE policy in Ugandan primary schools is managed, as part of the methodological procedures, the research process adopted by the researcher followed a qualitative study approach using a case study research design (collective) as the research design or strategy, and constructivism (interpretivism) as the research paradigm. As part of the triangulation of data, a review of relevant literature was conducted in combination with semi-structured individual interviews and focus group discussions with the purposively selected UPE stakeholders responsible for the management and implementation of the UPE programme in Uganda. The participants included: UPE school principals (school or implementation level); UPE policy makers (Ministry of Education and Sports officials at national level), and district education officials and local government representatives (district level). Inductive thematic analysis was used for data analysis of this research. The main findings concerning the strength of the current UPE planning and organising framework, among others, were: UPE management and implementation is executed at the national, district and school levels and each UPE stakeholder has a role; UPE implementation management is decentralised and authority is delegated to local governments; and UPE management and implementation constitutes of guidelines and directives. On the other hand, the findings concerning the UPE planning and organising weaknesses (challenges), among others, were: inadequate financial resources in form of low UPE capitation grants; the misuse and misallocation of UPE funds; the lack of consultation and involvement of frontline UPE stakeholders and the civil society in the planning and formulation of UPE policies and the lack of qualifications and skills of the UPE stakeholders responsible for the management of the implementation of the UPE programme. Considering the research findings, under decentralisation, the top-down UPE management and implementation framework that constitutes the current UPE planning and organising framework, has failed to address key UPE management and implementation challenges especially at the school level. Therefore, based on empirical and literature review findings of this research study, the management of the implementation of the UPE programme in Uganda, although it has registered some successes, it is still constrained, faces both monetary and nonmonetary challenges and is, therefore, internally and externally inefficient. In this regard, in order to address the challenges, the researcher proposes recommendations for the national, district and school levels for consideration and adoption by the Ministry of Education and Sports in order to address the bottlenecks impeding the efficient management and implementation of the UPE programme in Ugandan primary schools. In determining the recommendations and what constitutes a successful UPE planning and organising framework, the researcher considered among other things, the participants’ suggestions, and trends or lessons from international best practices.