The government is contemplating withdrawing its partnership and grant aid in response to concerns about private and government-aided schools overcharging fees, citing violations of the Universal Education policy.
State Minister in Charge of Primary Education, Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, made this announcement during a meeting with District Chief Administrative Officers and Financial Officers.
Dr. Kaducu expressed dismay at the continued practice of many government-aided schools charging excessive fees despite receiving public funds. President Yoweri Museveni has also publicly criticized school administrators for obstructing universal education by charging fees from parents.
Identifying at least 105 government-aided private primary schools and 109 government-aided secondary schools deviating from the principles of universal education, Dr. Kaducu emphasized the ministry’s intention to reconsider its partnership with non-compliant private schools.
She urged Chief Administrative Officers to identify and report non-compliant schools for appropriate action by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Additionally, Dr. Kaducu mentioned the ministry’s development of a framework to implement compulsory free education as part of efforts to enhance education quality and outcomes.
While some school administrators justify fee charging due to government’s failure to fully meet education needs, Mary Babirye Kabanda, Chairperson of the Private Schools Proprietors Association in Masaka, calls for increased budgetary allocation to the education sector to address these challenges.
