Effects of procurement management on the quality of public services: the case of school buildings in Kiboga District

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the management of procurement on the quality of school buildings in Kiboga district. This was prompted by the observation that most of the school buildings were of poor quality. The study adopted an analytical research design. Its objectives were to examine how tendering, supervision and monitoring affect the quality of school buildings and other factors affecting this quality in Kiboga District. Data were collected using interview schedules and questionnaires administered to purposively selected Kiboga DCC members, community leaders (local Councils 5, 3, and 1), heads of departments, contractors, head teachers, teachers and opinion leaders selected using snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis with the aid of Excel and the descriptive, ANOVA and regression methods of SPSS computer programme. Results indicate that tendering and supervision significantly affect for 73.3% and supervision for 30.4% of the changes in this quality. The effect of tender monitoring is insignificant but negative. It was found out that all the three functions are ineffectively carried out. The study therefore concludes by underscoring that fact that if the quality of Kiboga’s school building is to be improved, the tendering, supervision and monitoring of awarded school construction tenders have to be ameliorated by solving all the constraints to the effective conduct of each of these functions. Accordingly, study recommends proper implementation of the available tendering procedure as well as effective supervision and monitoring of the tendered school buildings projects. It also recommends a nationwide research into the problems of procurement management generally and why government officials mismanage and embezzle funds meant to facilitate the desired quality of tender output.