Factors affecting implementation of Universal Secondary Education in selected government aided secondary schools in Kampala District

Abstract

The major objective of this study was to assess the factors affecting implementation of Universal Secondary Education in selected government aided schools in Kampala District. In spite of the implementation guidelines put forward for the major stakeholders of USE, there were problems as regards implementation of the program. A triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative methods was used in the study. The study used a cross sectional survey design to collect data. The data was collected through both opened and closed questionnaires due to the nature of the information needed. The questionnaires were given students and teachers. Head teachers and parents as well as district local authorities were interviewed. The study was conducted in five randomly selected schools in the district. Only parents of S.4 students were used as well as only S.4 students because they had been in the program for four years since its inception. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using SPSS package and thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings of the study showed that the districts had not played their role in as far as recruitment of students, monitoring and supervision of the program was concerned. Government had not done enough in personnel recruitment, funding of the program as well as infrastructural development. Parents had not played their role in community support, provision of scholastic materials, provision of medical care and catering for teachers’ welfare. Among the recommendations, Government should make good the decentralization statute so that the local governments are empowered to carry out their roles as far as implementation of USE is concerned. Government should provide more funding to enable inspection, monitoring and evaluation to take place regularly by the district local authorities. Recruitment of more staff at the District Local Authorities so that they can be more visible at the schools every term or agreeable period. Government should carryout regular recruitment drives of both teachers and non-teaching staff in all schools under USE in Kampala District. Parents should try to provide their children with scholastic materials, medical care, lunch etc. Parents should always endeavor to attend school meetings when invited by the school authorities. Government should hold joint workshops for all stakeholders in the education sector so that there is clarification of roles.