TITLE:
Board Independence and Educational Performance in Catholic Founded Grant Aided Secondary Schools in Uganda
AUTHORS:
Ronald Reagan Okello, Maria Kaguhangire Barifaijo, Karim N. A. Ssesanga
KEYWORDS:
Board Independence, Educational Performance, Grant Aided Secondary Schools
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
11,
2025
ABSTRACT: The study investigated how the Board Independence affects the educational performance of Catholic-founded Grant-Aided Secondary Schools (GASS) in Uganda. Drawing from agency, stakeholder, and stewardship theories, the study underscores the importance of a strong governance and management system based on professional practices to improve educational outcomes. A case study was used employing a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both the quantitative and qualitative approaches of data collection and analysis. A sample of 67 schools was selected out of 81 using Krejcie & Morgan’s table. From each school, two staff members were selected (headteacher and director of studies) and two board members (chairman of the board and one other chair of a committee). The study revealed that while boards exhibit autonomy in agenda-setting and policy generation, challenges remain in maintaining objective decision-making and inclusive stakeholder engagement. The findings identify a complex dynamic between operational independence and institutional relationships, especially with religious foundation bodies. Statistical and multivariate analyses show that board independence is a multifaceted construct, encompassing synergies and tensions across governance aspects. The study concludes that reforms should focus on strengthening objective decision-making, balancing institutional ties with strategic autonomy, and enhancing stakeholder involvement. Recommendations include evidence-based decision-making, board training, communication infrastructure, conflict-of-interest management, and structured performance evaluations to promote effective and inclusive governance in Catholic-founded GASS in Uganda.