Stakeholder management roles and performance of universal primary education schools in Uganda: a case study of Moyo town council, Moyo district.

Abstract

This study was to investigate stakeholder management roles and performance of Universal Primary Education (U.P.E) schools in Uganda, case of Moyo Town Council, Moyo District. The study sought to: examine the role of District Education Office in the performance of UPE schools in Moyo Town Council, to find out the extent to which Head teachers contribute to the performance of UPE schools in Moyo Town Council and to assess the contribution of parents in the performance of UPE schools in Moyo Town Council. The study used a cross sectional survey with both quantitative and qualitative approach to collect, analyze and present information of the study. The target population was 120 respondents. In this study however, the target sample size was 92 and consisted of; Head teachers, deputy-Head teachers, the school management committees, District Education Officials and pupils in particular. Data analysis was both quantitative and qualitative; quantitative data was analyzed by use of Microsoft excel and Microsoft word. On the other hand, qualitative data from interviews were analyzed and presented in themes for better explanation and understanding. The findings revealed that the district education office's role is to mobilize resources, pay tuition fees through a capitation grant, train, employ and pay teachers, and construct classrooms, among others. Although the government certainly put some effort into advancing education for all, through introducing UPE, through providing the education fund, many shortfalls still exist in terms of equity and quality of the provided education. It was revealed that Head teachers played important roles in supervision of lesson plans, schemes of work, content delivery, teachable tools and class tools was very important in improving performance, further despite their low involvement in decision making; parents have the mandate of providing scholastic materials, school uniforms and basic requirements such as feeding of their children during school time. Therefore, this study recommended that there is a need for a deliberate effort by the government as well as encouraging the parents of their triple role in supporting their children to fit, schools and for successful future citizens. There is need for a proper needs assessment, prior to the allocation of available funds, such that the few available funds are allocated to where there is more need; this will help to improve the delivery of education services. There is a need to ensure that head teachers regularly perform supervision roles so as to instill commitment and hard work which would in turn lead to improved teachers’ and pupils’ performance in UPE schools. Parents should therefore give positive encouragement to their children to perform better academically.