1999年-世界发展银行全球_Uganda_-_Using_Surveys_for_Public_Sector_Reform_4页_526kb

Uganda: Using Surveys for Public Sector Reform

Core Content

This document discusses the use of diagnostic surveys in Uganda to assess the effectiveness of public spending on health and education. It highlights the limitations of official statistics and the importance of field-level data in identifying real issues in service delivery. The survey findings were instrumental in prompting policy reforms aimed at improving transparency and accountability in public resource management.

Main Points

1. Context and Objective

• In low-income countries, data to inform policy decisions are often scarce.
• Standard policy prescriptions may not apply, and interventions based on inadequate information may fail to achieve desired outcomes.
• The document focuses on a case in Uganda where a diagnostic survey was used to evaluate public spending on health and education.

2. Survey Design and Implementation

• The survey was conducted in 19 of Uganda's 39 districts, covering 250 government schools and 100 public health clinics.
• It aimed to compare budget allocations with actual spending for the period 1991–1995.
• The survey was carried out in collaboration with the Ugandan government, the Economic Policy Research Centre, and MSE Consultants.

3. Findings on Primary Education

• Input leakage: Less than 30% of non-salary public spending reached schools, as district authorities retained most of the funds.
• Tuition fee retention: Schools retained at most a third of tuition fees, with the rest going to district education offices.
• Enrollment discrepancy: Official enrollment data showed stagnation, but the survey found a 60% increase in primary enrollment.
• Parental contribution: Parents accounted for up to 70% of school spending in 1991 and 60% in 1995, despite increased public funding.
• Salary tracking: Teacher salaries reached schools better than non-salary funds, but with delays. "Ghost" teachers were a significant issue, with nearly 20% removed in 1993.

4. Findings on Primary Health Care

• Resource tracking: Clinic records were poor, with most resources tracked in kind rather than in monetary terms.
• Leakage of supplies: Medical supplies were often expropriated by clinic staff and sold on the black market, with an average leakage of nearly 70%.
• Impact on service delivery: Poor communities were unable to access basic health services due to the misappropriation of supplies.
• Legacy of the past: The health system still reflects the oppressive state practices of the 1970s and early 1980s, with low salaries and informal mechanisms persisting.

5. Policy Changes and Reforms

• The government responded to the survey findings in 1996 by increasing transparency and accountability.
• Monthly transfers of public funds to districts are now reported in the media.
• Public notice boards in schools and districts display primary education funding.
• School-based procurement has replaced central supply for certain materials.
• Detailed data on teacher salaries are now available at the central level.
• The Ministry of Education replicated the survey in 1998, finding significant improvements in fund flows.
• Efforts are underway to establish basic public accounting systems across districts, supported by the International Development Association.

Key Information

• Survey Importance: Surveys can provide critical insights into the real performance of public services when institutional data are lacking or unreliable.
• Data Discrepancy: Official statistics may not reflect the actual situation, especially in sectors like health and education where accountability is weak.
• Accountability Gaps: Both education and health sectors suffered from significant leakage and mismanagement of public funds.
• Policy Impact: The survey led to tangible reforms in education, including improved transparency and accountability measures, while health sector reforms remain less evident.

Conclusion

The Ugandan experience demonstrates that data can be a powerful tool for driving public sector reform. While the survey was more effective in the education sector, it still provided valuable insights that led to meaningful changes. In health, the lack of clear data limited the ability of policymakers to take action, highlighting the need for better record-keeping and accountability systems in all public sectors.