This afternoon, Herbert Musasizi, the Head Teacher of Kebisoni Integrated Primary School in Rukungiri District, along with seven members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Executive Committee, appeared before the Magistrates Court in Rukungiri. The charges against them include unlawfully imposing fees on pupils enrolled under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program and expelling students who could not pay.
The case was brought to light after numerous complaints from parents who reported that their children were being sent away from school due to unpaid fees. UPE is a government initiative that provides free primary education to all children, and the imposition of additional charges is a violation of this policy.
The Anti-Corruption Unit from State House, in collaboration with the Uganda Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), conducted the investigation leading to these charges. The allegations suggest that Musasizi and the PTA members unlawfully collected money from the students and took disciplinary action against those who failed to pay, which directly contravenes the principles of the UPE scheme.
The court proceedings aim to address the grievances of the affected families and ensure that such violations of educational policies are rectified.
