The impact of aid on Universal Primary Education enrolment in northern Uganda: Case study Pader district- Lapono and Atanga Sub counties

Abstract

The study sought to examine the impact of aid to basic education on Universal Primary School enrolment in Northern Uganda between 1997 and 2008, using Pader District as a case study. In so doing, trends in aid to basic education and enrolment in Northern Uganda were examined. Enrolment statistics for 10 districts in Northern Uganda were regressed against aid to basic education. Findings show that education aid to Uganda has been increasing. Within the education sector, aid to basic education has taken the greatest share of sector aid transfers. The trend might change as donors now prefer to channel aid through the national budget. Aid appears to be volatile and unpredictable with disbursements falling short of commitments. UPE enrollment in Northern Uganda has seen a rising trend although girl child enrollment is slower than that of boys. Enrolment has been influenced by education policy, social and economic conditions among other things. Regressions show that aid to basic education has had a positive impact on total enrollment and girl child enrollment in Northern Uganda. However aid to basic education accounts for only 40 percent of the variations in enrollment. Because of its positive impact more aid on enrolment, more aid needs to be channeled directly to implementing UPE. However this alone is not enough. More investments are needed to create a conducive socio-economic environment in Northern Uganda to enable more children access primary education.