Factors influencing performance in government-aided schools: A study of selected Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools in Makindye Urban Council

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing performance of Universal Primary Education schools in Makindye Urban Council. The study was guided by three objectives: To investigate the influence of class-size, management of the available resources and community responsibility and responsiveness on the performance of Universal Primary Education schools in Makindye Urban Council, Kampala Capital City Authority. The study was both quantitative and qualitative. It was cross sectional in nature involving a number of 140 teachers in all 17 Universal Primary Education schools. The hypotheses of the study were tested using Pearson’s correlation co-efficient index. The findings of the study revealed positive significant influence among class-size, management of available resources and social responsibility and responsiveness on schools’ performance in Makindye Urban Council. It was thus concluded that class-size, management of available resources, social responsibility and responsiveness have positive significant influence on Universal Primary Education schools’ performance in Makindye Urban Council in the way that when factors are provided, performance improves. It was recommended that if schools’ performance is to be improved in Makindye Urban Council, Ministry of Education and Sports, District Education Officers, teachers, community leaders and non-governmental organisations should group pupils into manageable streams. They should enroll more teachers, put up more infrastructures and enroll competent managers to ensure that basic resources like buildings, instructional materials and funds are properly managed. They should also ensure that all stakeholders in the Universal Primary Education sector are sensitized to work hand-in-hand with the government to provide quality education.