Low community participation in sustaining community primary schools in Kinkiizi West Constituency, Uganda

Abstract

This study explored low community participation in sustaining community primary schools in Kinkiizi Constituency, Uganda. A qualitative study, framed within an interpretivist paradigm, drawn on a multiple case study design was used to identify the causes of low community participation in community primary school sustainability in Kinkiizi West constituency, Uganda. Two community primary schools, namely; Karangara and Buhoma community primary schools were purposively chosen as cases of study. The data was generated using FGDs, interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Purposive sampling was used to select 28 participants who are community members (parents and non-parents), community leaders, head teachers, and the District Education Officer. Findings revealed that low community participation is due to; poor socio-economic conditions, low value for education, poor school management, poor school-community relationship, closure of schools by government plus weather, and topography. These findings are of great importance to the Ministry of Education, teachers, communities, parents, and students. It will guide policy formulation that improves the levels of community participation and sustainability of community schools in Uganda.