Universal Primary Education and pupils academic performance in selected schools in Rubaga division

Abstract

The development of any country is directly proportional to the level of its education system (Hanushek, 1997). Thus the main purpose of education is to educate all citizens and provide everyone with adequate opportunity to succeed in life (Hanushek, 1997). Basic education means the minimum package of learning, which every individual must receive to live as a good and useful citizen in society (Education Policy Review Report, 1989) Globally UPE was implemented after it was discussed at the Jomtien conference in Thailand. This conference was sponsored by UNESCO in 1989 and the goal was that by the year 2000, there should be provision of adequate education services to the children, youth and adults. Therefore the purpose was to provide education for all globally thus affirming a right to education. In Africa, most of the countries also struggled to introduce UPE so as to provide education and reduce illiteracy rates in their countries. Countries like Malawi which abolished school fees for grade 1 students started in 1991 and then all primary students in 1994, Kenya rolled out UPE in 2003 for all students, and Lesotho which offered UPE in 2003 starting with grade 1 students, they ensured that free primary education was the key issue on which governments that came into power had to focus on. In 1999, the Nigerian government introduced universal basic education, a program which was to provide free primary and secondary education for all. Other African countries like sub-Saharan countries, southern Africa countries also introduced free education so as to improve education and reduce illiteracy in their countries. Many more other African countries implemented UPE in the 1990’s and 2000’s thus according to UNESCO survey (Global Education Monitoring Report 2009) 42 African Countries out of 53 legally guarantee free education at primary level. In East Africa, the east African member states also introduced UPE so as to provide quality education. Kenya targeted universal primary education since its independence thus introduced free education in 2003 though the education provided is still not satisfactory. Tanzania emphasized universal primary education in the Musoma declaration of 1974 so as to transform rural society and agriculture in order for population to derive their livelihood.