Kilak South County Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya has warned Minister of State for Local Government Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi against contradicting President Yoweri Museveni’s directive allowing schools and parents to negotiate contributions to facilitate learners’ education.

Olanya says recent directives issued by Minister Barugahara to District Education Officers to stop schools from demanding fees from parents are intimidating head teachers and teachers, with some reportedly abandoning their responsibilities.

According to Olanya, government funding to public schools is often delayed, leaving institutions dependent on agreed contributions from parents to meet essential operational costs.

He expressed concern that the directives are also disrupting the education of candidate students, and called on Minister Barugahara to withdraw the orders and allow schools to engage parents on affordable contributions.

The concerns come amid a wider dispute over school charges. Some school administrators argue that government funding does not cover all operational and staffing costs, while the government maintains that schools should not impose illegal or excessive charges on learners.

Olanya says a balance should be found that allows schools to meet essential needs while ensuring that parents are not subjected to unaffordable charges.

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