Assessment of the maintenance practices needed for schools in Uganda. A case study of Kyeizooba sub-county.

Abstract

This research focused on assessing the maintenance practices needed in schools in Uganda. The main objective of this study was to assess the maintenance practices needed in schools in Kyeizooba Sub County. To guide the research, three research questions were raised and answered and quantitative research design was adopted for this study. A research designed questionnaire entitled “maintenance practices for schools” was used to collect relevant data from the respondents. Condition rating index was also used to assess the condition of different school buildings considering the condition of the building elements within that particular building. The data got was analyzed using descriptive statistics for mean and standard deviation for factors affecting the maintenance practices needed and the possible ways to improve on the such practices. From the condition rating analysis it was reported classrooms are the most deteriorated buildings with a number of defects than toilets, walkways, kitchen and dormitories The result indicated that delayed response to reported disrepairs (µ=4.12 and σ=1.23), environmental factors (µ=4.10 and σ=0.87), age of buildings (µ=4.04 and σ=1.25) rated highly than lack of skilled personnel (µ=3.45 and σ=1.33) and maintenance culture (µ=3.20 and σ=1.22) as the main factors affecting maintenance practices needed in schools. Also from analysis Preventive maintenance, proper fencing of school premises, regular inspection and employing skilled main power were strongly recommended as the ways that should be adopted to improve on maintenance practices in schools. It was therefore concluded that school maintenance management committee should employ building professionals who have knowledge on how maintenance practices are done. This study also recommended that the government should set strict sub county laws and regulations to regulate the maintenance of both public and private school buildings by developing sub county building and maintenance code.