The Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on the Operation of Private Schools: Kamukuzi Division, Mbarara City

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda in March 2020 left education in a worrying situation due to the lockdown imposed by the government on all education institutions from nursery to higher institutions. Although both public and private education institutions were closed to limit the spread of covid-19 pandemic, the pandemic greatly affected the private institutions which were largely depending on the learners as their main source of income. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the operation of private schools within Kamukuzi division. The objectives of the study were to analyze the welfare of private school teachers after the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic, determining the likelihoods of staff retention in private schools, finding out the challenges brought up by covid-19 pandemic on the financial status of private schools in kamukuzi division and to suggest possible measures on how private schools can be assisted to operate normally within and post COVID-19 era.

Simple random sampling method was used to select a sample of 10 private schools from Kamukuzi division. Data was collected from 10 private school owners and 35 private school teachers in Kamukuzi division through the use of an interview guide. The results showed that several development projects which were run by private schools were on halt due to the outbreak if the pandemic. Majority of the school owners were struggling with financial hardships such as Bank loans, pending salaries among others. Recommendations were made that private schools should, diversifying the education sector to adopt online learning systems in order for them to continue operating in times caused by disasters.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

DECLARATION.. i

APRROVAL.. ii

DEDICATION.. iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS. v

LIST OF ACCRONYMS. viii

ABSTRACT. ix

CHAPTER ONE.. 1

Introduction. 1

1.1 Background. 1

1.2 Problem statement3

1.3 Objectives. 4

1.3.1 General objective. 4

1.3.2 Specific objectives.4

1.4          Research questions. 4

1.5 Scope of the study. 5

1.5.1 Geographical scope. 5

1.5.2 Content scope. 5

1.5.3 Time scope. 5

1.6 Significance of the study. 5

CHAPTER TWO.. 7

LITERATURE REVIEW... 7

2.1 Introduction. 7

2.2 The life of private school teachers amidst covid-19 pandemic. 7

2.3 Challenges of Covid-19 on private schools. 8

2.4 Financial Challenges facing private schools since the outbreak of the pandemic. 9

2.5 possible solutions for private schools to operate within and post covid-19 era. 10

CHAPTER 3. 12

METHODOLOGY.. 12

3.1Research Design. 12

3.2 Study population. 12

3.3 Sample size. 12

3.4 Sampling technique. 13

3.5 Data collection. 13

3.5.1.1 Primary data. 13

3.5.1.2 Secondary data. 13

3.5.2 Tools of data collection. 14

3.5.2.1 Key informant interviews. 14

3.6 Data analysis. 14

3.7 Research procedure. 14

3.8 Ethical considerations. 14

CHAPTER 4. 15

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION.. 15

4.0 Introduction to the chapter15

4.1 Background information. 15

4.2 Welfare of private school teachers after the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic. 17

4.3 Possibilities of staff retention in private schools. 18

4.4 Challenges brought up by covid-19 pandemic on the financial status of private schools. 19

4.5 Covid-19 on the development of Private schools. 19

4.5.1 Infrastructural development19

4.5.2 Student/pupils Enrollment20

4.6 Possible solutions to address challenges brought by covid-19 on the operation private schools  20

4.6.1 Relief package from government20

4.6.2 Adoption of online learning. 20

4.6.3 Extension of loan repayment period. 21

4.6.4 Adherence to Ministry of Health SOPs. 21

4.6.5 Waiver taxes on scholastics materials. 21

CHAPTER FIVE.. 22

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. 22

5.0 Introduction. 22

5.1 Conclusions. 22

5.2 Recommendations. 22

REFERENCES. 24

Appendix A.. 26

Appendix B.. 27

Appendix C.. 29