STAKEHOLDERS’ PARTICIPATION AND EDUCATION SERVICE DELIVERY IN URBAN COUNCILS IN UGANDA. A CASE STUDY OF KITGUM URBAN COUNCIL

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between stakeholders' participation and delivery of education services in Kitgum town council, Uganda. Specifically, the study established the relationship between: participatory planning; participatory budgeting; participatory monitoring and evaluation and delivery of education services in Kitgum town council. The study was cross section adopting both quantitative and qualitative approaches to study a sample size of 121 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guide. Qualitative data was analyzed through content and discourse analysis. Inferential analysis was used to analyze Quantitative data using Pearson's correlation co-efficient while descriptive analysis was done using measures of central tendency. The study confirmed that, participatory planning; participatory budgeting and participatory monitoring and evaluation have significant positive effects on delivery of education services in Uganda; from the study findings, it's recommended that, both the central and urban councils should undertake vigorous and deliberate awareness campaigns to sensitize citizens on their roles in planning for delivery of education services and the need to aid the process of participatory planning if improved delivery of education services is to be realized. Similarly, central and urban councils should ensure timely release of funds to education sector; come up with clear policy guidelines on allocation of funds and the need for proper needs assessment, to address key prior areas to help to improve the delivery of education services. Finally, central Government and Town councils should ensure regular monitoring and reporting as well as sensitize and encourage stake holders to meaningfully participate in monitoring and evaluation of the delivery of education services.