Examining the Role of the State in the Promotion of the Right to Education Case Study: Universal Primary Schools in Mukono Municipality

Abstract

The study aimed at examining the role of the state in the promotion of the right to primary education in Mukono Municipality and there after using the information gathered to propose ways in which the government can improve on the role it plays in promoting the right to primary education.

The study was carried out with the use of qualitative and quantitative research designs with an inclination toward qualitative research design. The research sample size composed of 80 respondents. These were selected using different methods of sampling like simple random sampling and purposive sampling from U.P.E schools like St. Agnes Preparatory School and Bugemeni Primary School as well as the community of Mukono Municipality.

Results indicate that the state is required to play a significant role in the promotion of the right to primary education. For instance the in the construction of quality schools and infrastructure, creation of a conducive school environment, creating favourable policies and laws to govern the primary education system as well as the recruitment and training of teaching and non- teaching staff. The government of Uganda has however executed its role of promoting primary education to a lesser extent in that a number of schools have inadequate space, teachers and teaching material. The number and quality of buildings in U.P.E schools is very low, sanitation facilities for both males and females are in a very poor state. It was also noted that there was unequal access to primary education especially for special needs children.

From the study, it was realized that the government and non- state actors can better promote the right to primary education by exploiting factors like the formulation of a favourable policy on pregnancy in the primary education system and formulating a curriculum on sex education, establishing better infrastructure, adequate recruitment and training of teaching staff alongside the strengthening of the laws and policies governing child education.

In light of the above findings, it was concluded that for the government to maximize the benefits of primary education, there must be interplay of all the mentioned measures since no single factor can standout independently. It is thus recommended that the State and other Non- state actors work closely with the communities at large to create an attractive environment in which children’s right to education are protected and realized.

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