Challenges Faced And The Quality Of Universal Primary Education In Nansana Town Council Wakiso District

ABSTRACT

The study focused on community participation in the implementation of

Universal Primary Education. It analyzed the challenges faced by the Community the

implementation of UPE in selected schools in Nansana Town Council Wakiso District. Qualitative

methods of data collection were used. In particular, in -depth interviews were conducted on a

purposively selected sample.

To establish the level of away of its roles and responsibilities in the

implementation of UPE, the study investigated and found out that the community is well

aware of the roles and responsibilities they have to perform in the implementation

of UPE.

The study also investigated and found out that community participation was

enhanced by factors such as a friendly school administration, the existence of bye

laws, committed and motivated mobilization structures like LC’s, SMC and PTA

Executives. Sensitization and training further enhanced community participation.

Adequate policy dissemination and deliberate involvement of the

Community provided a great opportunity for the implementation of UPE.

In regard to monitoring of the use of UPE fhnds, the study found out that the level of community

involvement is small and weak. Parents, local council, PTA and SMC involvement was limited.

Apparently the only members involved in monitoring were the chairperson of SMC and PTA.

Illiteracy, lack of transparency and sometimes deliberate exclusion were found to be part of the

reasons why community involvement was limited. Where a large part of the community was

involved, this was attributed largely to a good working relationship with the Head teacher. The

aspect of financial monitoring needs improvement from District to school level.

In examining the contribution of the community towards school construction , the study

established that communities make a lot of input by way of local materials, labour, construction of temporary structures. The community also monitors construction to a small extent.