Factors affecting the implementation of universal secondary education policy in Gulu district schools

Abstract

This study was carried out in secondary schools in Gulu district in northern Uganda in Government secondary schools. The purpose of the study was to establish the factors affecting the implementation of USE in Gulu District. The main objectives of the study were to examine; how teaching and learning are affected under Universal Secondary Education policy; how school funding is affected by Universal Secondary Education policy and how the participation of the community affects the implementation of Universal Secondary Education policy. A cross sectional research design was used in which a representative samples of 300 participants across the population of head teachers, teachers, BOG, students, DEO, inspectors of school were involved and quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequency distribution and percentages. While qualitative data was categorized in accordance with themes. The study established that the teaching and learning under USE has not been effective because teachers do not keep time for their lessons, teachers do not give tests and examinations as scheduled, teachers do not release, teachers teach many classes with a huge number of students in class. The study also found out that the school funding under USE has not been good because the grant is not sent in time, it is not enough, there is improper management of the grant by the school administrators and teachers do not receive salaries and allowances on time. However, the study also established that there is a high level of community participation under the USE policy because the community participates in school activities. It is therefore recommended that the community at large should support construction of more school by providing land and labor to reduce high enrollment rates in the existing schools in the Gulu District. Consequently, government should employ enough teachers so as to cater for the rising number of secondary school students in the District.