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.