Inside govt’s plan to address exorbitant fees charged by schools
The Ministry of Education also wants additional Shs30.2billion to take over 100 Community and NGO founded secondary schools whose owners lack funds to manage the schools, while there is also need for more Shs6.4billion to grant aid to 100 primary schools.
Parliament has recommended the provision of Shs309.162Billion to the Ministry of Education for the implementation of Free Education at primary and secondary Education.
This was one measure taken by government to address the exorbitant school fees being charged by schools in Uganda.
The Cost drivers include; District Level Capitation/ monitoring and inspection- Shs8.5Billion, Instructional Materials for all schools-Shs73.2billion, School based Capitation Cost-Shs100.9billion.
The funds will also go towards; Support of Special Needs Education-Shs690million, School Welfare Grant like Feeding subsidy for teaching and non-teaching staff and Housing subsidy for teaching staff Shs65.7billion, and Annual Continuous Professional Development for all teacher Shs60.1billion.
The Ministry of Education also wants additional Shs30.2billion to take over 100 Community and NGO founded secondary schools whose owners lack funds to manage the schools, while there is also need for more Shs6.4billion to grant aid to 100 primary schools.
Parliament’s Education Committee was informed that the Ministry received requests across the country to take over these schools and the cost of each school secondary is estimated at Shs300million, while Shs64million is required for each primary school, thus the need for 36.3Billion. However, the funds aren’t available in the 2024/25 national budget for the Ministry.
MPs also backed the request by the Ministry of Education to have Shs100Billion added onto the Ministry’s budget to rehabilitate 200 primary schools across the country, with each school’s renovation works expected to cost Shs500million.
Parliament was informed that almost 40% of Government primary school structures are dilapidated which leaves the lives of the pupils at stake while they take classes.
The Ministry is also in need of Shs29.304Billion to facilitate and support the Secondary School Games but only Shs6Billion has been provided in the Ministry’s 2024/25 national budget.
