The parents, the patients and the privileged : accountability and elite capture in schools and clinics in Uganda and Tanzania
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Abstract:
Decentralized public services like primary schools and clinics are increasingly (co-) managed by committees of parents and villagers. This paper analyses membership and operation of 64 committees in Uganda and Tanzania and discusses why, although committees and their resources may come under the control of a local elite, some acquire distinct dynamics of their own. It was found that some types of committees have indeed proliferated primarily because of pressure from donor agencies since the mid 1990s. However, some of the most widespread committees, such as school committees, have enjoyed an active existence for decades. Generally, concerns that these management committees operate without being integrated in local government structures seem overstated. Local government’s education and health department have at least a clear influence over the establishment of the management committees. Concerns that the election of management committees’ members is not democratic are mostly applicable to clinic committees. School committee members, however, are elected in a reasonably democratic process and do represent parents.
Note:
Paper presented at Conference of Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies (AEGIS) 29 June – 2 July 2005 in London, UK
Authors:
Prinsen, G.
Series Title:
SNV publications
Country:
Tanzania, United Republic of
,
Uganda
Category:
Research
Serial number:
H0702-09
Keywords:
decentralization
,
public sector
,
health services
,
education
Language:
eng
Organization:
SNV - Netherlands Development Organisation
PAGE:
44
Place:
The Hague
Publisher:
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation
Year:
2007
Region:
Africa South of Sahara
,
East Africa
Right:
© 2007 SNV
Subject:
Social and Political Change
Title:
The parents, the patients and the privileged : accountability and elite capture in schools and clinics in Uganda and Tanzania