“The decentralization of the administration of basic education to councils and its effectiveness on educational supply” is a paper which investigated how effective basic education in Cameroon, particularly public primary schools were supplied with the requisite infrastructures, didactic materials, support staff (Cameroon, 2010b) and finances by councils due to the devolved autonomy in decision making by the central government in the decentralization process (Cameroon, 2004b). The decentralization of the supply of these resources to councils was because the central government believed that it will be the right means to end their acute shortage or lack the above-mentioned resources in our basic education system since the local population elect their councillors. The study intended to examine the extent to which councils’ autonomy in decision making on their educational tasks affects educational supply in primary schools. The research implored a quantitative survey research design with simple random sampling techniques where questionnaires and interviews were administered to six mayors in Fako division of the SWR of Cameroon and fifty copies of the head teachers’ questionnaire were randomly administered to fifty head teachers. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as measures of central tendencies and variability, and probability sampling tests such as the chi square and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. Findings of this study revealed that councils had very little autonomy in decision making which was ineffective in the provision of support staff and finances to primary schools and there was a very little effect on the provision of infrastructures and a moderately positive effect on the provision of instructional materials. In conclusion, the decentralization of the provision of infrastructures, instructional materials, and support staff to councils as stipulated by some legal instruments(Cameroon, 2004a; 2004b; 2010b) has been very ineffective as we still find schools with poor or lack of infrastructures, instructional materials and support stuff, a situation which decentralization was meant to remedy. Only the provision of didactic materials and a few infrastructures have been deconcentrated to councils and financed by the Common Decentralization Fund (CDF). It is therefore recommended to the central government to effectively decentralize the provision of these resources to councils, which are closer to the local communities. Councils should employ educationists and train them to manage educational affairs, especially the provision of these resources in schools. Head teachers should collaborate with councilors and teachers to supervise the utilization of the provided resources.
Decentralization, Administration, Basic Education, Councils Effectiveness, Educational Supply
International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development - IJTSRD having
online ISSN 2456-6470. IJTSRD is a leading Open Access, Peer-Reviewed International
Journal which provides rapid publication of your research articles and aims to promote
the theory and practice along with knowledge sharing between researchers, developers,
engineers, students, and practitioners working in and around the world in many areas
like Sciences, Technology, Innovation, Engineering, Agriculture, Management and
many more and it is recommended by all Universities, review articles and short communications
in all subjects. IJTSRD running an International Journal who are proving quality
publication of peer reviewed and refereed international journals from diverse fields
that emphasizes new research, development and their applications. IJTSRD provides
an online access to exchange your research work, technical notes & surveying results
among professionals throughout the world in e-journals. IJTSRD is a fastest growing
and dynamic professional organization. The aim of this organization is to provide
access not only to world class research resources, but through its professionals
aim to bring in a significant transformation in the real of open access journals
and online publishing.