The impact of UPE on the pupils' academic performance in Kumi District in Uganda: a case study of Kumi Town Council

Abstract

The study sought to investigate about the Impact of UPE on the Academic Performance of Pupils in Kumi Town Council, Kumi District, Uganda. Objectives of the study included; finding out achievements of UPE in relation to academic performance of pupils, challenges faced while implementing the UPE policy, as well as providing strategies for improving on academic performance of UPE schools. This was carried out using both qualitative and quantitative research designs employing a cross sectional survey, simple and random sampling techniques to select a total sample population of 345 respondents. Data was analyzed and presented statistically using tables and charts which were accompanied by explanatory remarks to clearly bring out the meaning of the findings. The study revealed that UPE provided an opportunity for children to go to school within the area, though their performance was not the best as compared to that of private schools. The challenges faced included reluctance of parents to cater for their children's basic needs like meals, uniforms, books. Inspection of schools was poor and so could not yield best results expected of it, retaining good quality teachers was hard thereby leaving too much work to the remaining teachers hence affecting the quality of pupils' performance. The research recommended that pupils to be nurtured so as to remain in school until completion of at least the primary level, be taught practical co-curricular subjects beneficial even for their after school life. The headteachers should encourage their teachers to upgrade. Parents Teachers Association Committees be reinstated and authorized to coordinate parents and community with school administration in order to easily monitor school activities move as recommended. The government should emphasize performance appraisal be done upon teachers with evaluation of pupils' performance. The unsatisfactory nature of supervision of schools needed further study and there was need to ascertain how this impacts on the learners' performance.