Uganda’s experiences in monitoring government programmes using set global development indicators: the case of goal 4 indicators on education

Abstract

This study investigates the monitoring of national education programs in Uganda in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) indicators on education. The study adopts a crosssection descriptive qualitative research design, the research incorporates insights from a diverse range of academic and grey literature, and primary data gathered through structured interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires. The findings reveal that Uganda's education monitoring plan aligns with SDG4 indicators but encounters challenges related to data collection, quality assurance, and capacity building. While stakeholders actively participate in monitoring efforts, their engagement could be enhanced through improved coordination and communication. The study identifies gaps in the skills and knowledge of staff responsible for monitoring education programs, which affects the effectiveness of the monitoring system. Although data quality assurance processes are in place, there is potential for improvement to ensure the accuracy and reliability of education monitoring data. By examining the experiences, challenges, and practices associated with utilizing SDG4 indicators, the study underscores the need for targeted interventions to strengthen Uganda's monitoring and evaluation systems. The study also provides recommendations for addressing the identified challenges, including capacity-building initiatives for monitoring staff, enhancing data collection methods, improving data quality assurance processes, and fostering stronger stakeholder engagement. These recommendations aim to bolster the effectiveness of the education monitoring system, ensuring accurate and reliable data that can be used to inform decision-making processes, improve education programs, and ultimately promote sustainable development in Uganda. In conclusion, this research offers valuable insights into the performance of Uganda's education monitoring system concerning SDG4 indicators, identifies areas for improvement, and provides recommendations for enhancing the monitoring process.