Govt warns schools on hiking fees

By Charles Katabalwa

28^th April 2022

Government has warned school owners against hiking fees for the next term amidst the increasing commodity prices.

The State Minister for Primary Education Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu confirmed that they have received reports from school owners informing about their move to increase fees due to high prices of commodities needed for the daily running of their institutions of learning, but such an engagement should be with parents.

Kaducu made the remarks while launching a two days induction for 35 promoted secondary school head teachers to equip them with knowledge and skills to take on the mantle.

This coincided with finalizing of the Government study undertaken to collect empirical evidence on payment of fees and other school charges in public schools that implement the Universal primary and secondary education program.

Denis Mugimba, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Sports told the press this Thursday at the Uganda Media center Kampala that the team tasked for conducting research that will help in streamlining regulatory framework for school fees and other charges in both the Universal Primary and Secondary Education –UPE and USE schools, has reached out to 46 districts, 350 primary and secondary schools and 600 households in the country.

Mugimba adds that they will be able to access the level of willingness of parents and caregivers to make a monetary contribution to public schooling in primary and secondary education levels.

He has disclosed that the research will help the government to determine the extent to which school fees and other charges are affecting the various categories of vulnerable children in the country as well as the most feasible financing flame work for UPE and USE based schools.

Meanwhile, Mugimba has revealed that government has handed over other 47 seed secondary schools to public in different regions namely Buganda 13, Busoga 2, Kigezi 4, Ankole 8, Bukedia 3, Karamoja 4, Lango 6 among others and the remaining of the first phase will be given out in mid May 2022.