Stakeholder management in the success of UPE in Barr Sub-County, Lira District

Abstract

Successful implementation of a project such as UPE entails the execution of different roles by key stakeholders, This means different things to different people which influences the outcome of projects. This study therefore assessed stakeholder management in the success of UPE in Barr Sub-county. It sought to find out stakeholders involved in the management of UPE, establish the roles played by different stakeholders in the management and success of UPE programs, challenges faced by stake holders in the management of UPE and ascertain strategies put in place by the Local governments to address the stake holder management challenges of UPE in Barr Sub-county. It employed a qualitative approach with a case study design to explore how different roles of stakeholders have contributed to success of UPE. Through a sample size of 90 respondents selected using random and non-random sampling methods. It collected information using from both primary and secondary sources using questionnaires, interview guides, observation, FGDs and document review methods which was later analyzed using qualitative approaches. The study found out stakeholders involved in the management of UPE in Barr Sub County to be; School Management Committees, Head teachers, Class teachers, District Education Officer, Parents, Senior Assistant Secretary (Sub-county Chiefs), and Parents Teachers Association .Other stakeholders revealed by the study were: LC 1 Chairpersons, LCIII chairperson, Parish Chiefs, MoES, NGOs, LC III Secretary for Education, PDCs, DIS, Founding bodies, Child Protection Committees and MPs. The roles played by the above stakeholders in the management and success of UPE included: organizing engagement meetings, planning, budgeting, Supervision, Accountability provisions, Teaching, evaluation (assessment) and standard setting. Capacity buildings for stakeholders, Program funding, School management and provisions of scholastic materials. Maintaining founder values, mobilizations and care for pupils were other roles played by the UPE stakeholders. Monitoring UPE, Capacity buildings, Election of SMCs with good education levels, Regular meetings, Bye-laws and ordinances, Infrastructure developments and Partnerships were revealed as strategies put in place by the local governments to address challenges of stakeholder’s management in UPE. The study concluded that, stakeholders involved in the management of UPE were trying their best to ensure the program attains its goals. It acknowledged that these stake holders have done commendable roles in managing the success of UPE, much as there is a very wide gap requiring redress. It finally noted that, UPE program had murdered the quality of PS education in Barr Sub-county.