RWECO LAUNCHES POLICY BRIEF ON WATER, HEALTH AND EDUCATION SECTORS.

A policy according to the Vice LCV Chairperson Kabarole district, who participated in this event, is a plan for action. In the bid to deliver services to it’s people the government of Uganda has set policies for the different sectors to guide their actions.

With the mandate to compliment government programs, RWECO conducted a participatory policy assessment in the water, health and education sectors; the assessment that was conducted in 10 sub counties  in five districts in the Rwenzori region aimed at linking the existing policies to service delivery  vis -a – viz the government manifesto (2011 - 2016).

Ø  Other aims were to find out feedback from the users of services in Education, health, and water sectors;

Ø  To find out practical actions that communities, local authorities, line ministries and other stakeholders can take to improve delivery of basic services at community level;

Ø  To come up with suggestions on policy alternatives on delivery of basic services in the education

Several findings were compiled, analyzed and summarized into a policy brief that RWECO launched on 19/03/13 at Gardens restaurant in Fort portal. 

Speaking at the launch meeting the RWECO Coordinator, Jimmy Odyek welcomed members to the meeting, highlighted it’s purpose and also welcomed Mr. Misusera Mukasa the lead consultant in the assessment to share some key findings in the report. They included;

Photo of a copy of the policy brief paper

 Education Sector

Ø  Poor performance in PLE Exams e.g Kichwamba btn 2009-2011 never got any first grades 

Ø  Bad staff welfare including ongoing professional development.

Ø  High girl child drop- out rate from  school

Ø  Insufficient fund releases

Ø  Automatic promotion; 100% of respondents described it as a bad policy that contributed to children’s failure in the exams. They added that children do not work hard enough to get promoted because it is automatic

Ø  60% of the schools visited noted poor parents support towards their children’s education

Ø  Irregular inspection of schools e.g - Kidudu –Kyenjojo, Hope in Kabarole, Kichwamba in Kamwenge

Ø  Facilities available in the school, number of classrooms, desks, latrine stances, essential text books;- Others were average except for Nyaruroma

Ø  PTA/SMCs exist but not doing the rightful roles

Health Sector

Ø  25% of the HC compounds visited were well maintained however Examples of poorly maintained Health units include Nyahuka HC4- Bundibugyo, and Kabaka in Kasese.

Ø  All health units visited were open at the time of visit which was a good indicator.

Ø  Understaffing in all the HCs visited.

Ø  75% of the health units surveyed had essential drugs.

Ø  Inadequate PHC releases.

Ø  Quality of Health facility structure: 42% were good, 50% were fair and 8 % were poor.

Ø  Lack of basic structures; placenta pits, kitchens, pit latrines, rubbish bins was observed in most HCs.

Ø  29% of the HCs had good houses, 39% were average and 25% were very poor.

Ø  58% of HCs surveyed had some form of power although quite many had only solar power which was fairly good. 

Ø  Prevalence of immunizable diseases was at 33% and yet services were available. Poor staff welfare.

Water Sector

Ø  52% functional, 18% occasional 30% non functional (Nyabusozi in Nyantungo SC Kyenjojo, Rutorwa- Busoro SC Kabarole .

Ø  Quantity of water (yield) was at 52% good, 39% was average 9% poor

Ø  73% of the water points committees had never been trained on their roles and responsibilities.

Ø  Quality of water. 64% said it was good, 13% poor, 23% was fair.

Ø  Usability of water facility- 74%  were congested and 26% were not.

Ø  Management of Water Point e.g. (presence of a caretaker). 32% were poorly maintained e.g Karaphael- katooke town council- Kyenjojo, Kangora borehole in Kamwenge, Kakoga Shallow well –Mubuku 2, Karusandara-Kasese

Ø  Payment of user fees- 68% of the respondents said users do not pay

Ø  Construction near pit latrines- 23% were only 100 meters away, which was dangerous and only 45% were far by 500 meters plus.

Ø  Catchment areas 59% serve between 3-4 villages

Wholesomely the assessment noted that, it is evident that certain Education, Health and Water policy provisions are not met. Whereas there is a big stride to meet some of them say in the provision of safe water to the people, management and maintenance of those points has had challenges. And that increased enrollment has been achieved while at the same time performance and maintenance of children in school remains a challenge.   It is therefore imperative upon central and local governments to ensure that the gaps pointed out in the policy provision are worked upon.

Mr. Mukasa presenting at the meeting

Commenting on the findings, members thanked Mr. Mukasa for the information and appreciated that most of the findings were true although districts were doing all they can to address the service delivery challenges mentioned above.

For instance the Vice LCV Chairperson Kabarole explained that Kabarole had recruited more teachers, was conducting routine immunization, is building more infrastructures, although he decried other outstanding challenges like poor road network in the district, corruption and late release of funds.

He however thanked CSOs for always complimenting government programs, “NGOs work as blood vessels linking and developing every sector, in fort portal alone 7% of the district budget I funded by NGOs; the contribution of NGOs can never be taken for granted”

Presiding over the function as Chief Guest, the RDC Kabarole district, also thanked RWECO for their efforts in monitoring public expenditure and ensuring that serves are effectively delivered to the communities. He challenged the people in attendance to ensure that what has been discussed is greatly achieved by the people they represent. The RDC regretted to note that some rich people in the community are mean so much so that they build so many  big storied houses and buy so many expensive cars yet they cannot out of good will build even a two roomed staff house for HCs or schools in their communities of which their own relatives are beneficiaries. The RDC crowned the meeting with the launch of the Policy brief paper.  (Copies of this policy brief  can be got at the RWECO member offices; KALI,GHRD,RIC-NET,RIDE-Africa and RWECO Coordinating Unit)

 

The Kabarole RDC  (center)together with the LCV Vice chairpersons Bundibugyo (left) and Kabarole Districts (right) launch the policy brief

The meeting was attended by approximately 35 persons from the Rwenzori region; they included District Executive Committee members, District speakers, CSO and media representatives, and RWECO staff members.