The Democratic Party (DP) suggests that the Government should establish a policy setting both minimum and maximum limits on school fees charged to parents. According to the DP, this measure would help prevent schools, particularly private ones, from imposing excessively high fees on parents.
Speaking at a press conference held at their headquarters at City House in Kampala on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Ismail Kirya, the president of Uganda Young Democrats (UYD), emphasized that the current practice of allowing schools to set fees without restrictions enables school owners to take advantage of vulnerable parents.
Kirya highlighted instances where parents, as schools reopened for the first term, found themselves pleading for leniency in various school offices. He argued that such situations negatively impact students’ psychological well-being, subsequently affecting their academic performance.
While acknowledging the significant role of private schools in education, Kirya asserted the need for regulation to ensure fairness and accountability. He criticized the practice of charging exorbitant fees without transparent accountability mechanisms in place.
He urged that fee limits should align with the government’s educational objectives to ensure that schools deliver quality education as expected.
Last year, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among also emphasized the need for a policy to standardize school fees across the country. During a parliamentary session in March, she expressed concerns over the wide disparities in fees charged by different institutions, which often create financial burdens for parents and students.
Among stressed the urgency of establishing a policy to harmonize school fees, aiming to promote equal access to education for all students.
