Factors influencing the performance of pupils under UPE programme in rural areas in Bukedea District : a case study of Okunguro Primary School

Abstract

The study was about the factors influencing the performance of pupils under Universal Primary Education programme in Okunguro Primary School-Bukedea District, Eastern Uganda. The study was guided by the following study objectives; whether the government provides the necessary resources to enable every child to enter and remain in Okunguro Primary School, how government has made basic education accessible to the learners and relevant to their needs in Okunguro Primary School and how education under UPE initiates fundamental positive transformation to ensure performance in Okunguro Primary School. The study obtained data from 86 respondents using quantitative approach. The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education and sports, the District and Sub county Education officials avail some general scholastic items like books, charts, manuals, training for teachers though very inadequate, and communicate to them all the necessary information which keeps the two sides on the same page in the school. Despite the fact that government has meager resources for the school, they avail some scholastic materials, carryout inspection and try to replenish the skills of the teachers. There are though inadequate, some necessary instructional materials, physical infrastructures and scholastic materials in the school which when well utilized can boost learner’s performance. Thus, the fact that resources are inadequate from government, the few which are provided can boost education and the general performance of the school for the attainment of the competitive edge required for quality education. Access to basic education under the UPE programme is a guarantee and that’s why the parents are only required to provide books and Uganda Shillings 8,000 for porridge for the children so that they can stay at school and learn and boost their affluent and literate people. The future of the educated people who have gone through this programme in the school is better than that of the uneducated. The UPE policy is favourable in enabling every child access free education at primary level in the school, so basic education is now a right in the school. There is unlimited access to basic education in the school which has enabled children to settle get educated and significantly attain good grades in internal and external examinations. The government has guaranteed access to basic education in the school, so the pupils enjoy learning and their literacy levels have gone up, though their performance is not yet excellent but it is fair. With the introduction of UPE in the school, there has been positive fundamental transformation which has enhanced pupils’ performance, and the skills attained can enable them to survive as they strive for better livelihood in the future. Basic education is fundamental as an initiative for fundamental transformation in order to enhance the performance of pupils in the school and other schools. With the UPE programme in place, they have been able to attain high enrolment and the primary level education thus forms the patent foundation upon which the children can build potential for better future. The success of UPE programme in Okunguro Primary school means that there has been enhancement of literacy for better livelihood of the children. The study recommended that there should be promotion of parental educational level or attainment which can enhance Universal Primary Education in school and thus improve the education status of the children and the schools, there should be inception of the government porgramme to supply instructional resources for both lower and upper primary levels in order to enhance learning and instruction for the children and there should be enrolment of more teachers to avail at primary level education in order to boost effective teaching and enhancement of literacy for better learning by the children.