Ronald Tumusiime
04:42

Kibaale Records Record Low UPE Enrollement Figures

3 Feb 2009, 13:39 1876 Views Kibaale, Uganda News Report
A record low number of students in Kibaale district turned up for enrollment at schools under the Universal Primary Education program on the first day of the new school term yesterday. The LC5 chairperson of Kibaale, George William Namyaka, says the lowest enrollment numbers were registered in the counties of Buyaga and Buyanja. He blames this on the extra fees levied by schools which are supposed to offer free education to any student. At Kyeya Primary School, children who did not have the 3,000 shillings to pay for lunch and their teachers' break tea were ordered to return home. The fees were set by the Kyeya Primary School management committee last year. It was a similar scene across Kibaale district where students and parents were surprised when doors were closed in their faces because they had not paid the extra fees. The LC5 chairperson directed the District Education Officer to investigate the grounds for levying the extra charges. He says forcing parents to pay the fees was illegal. John Kyaboona, the Kibaale District Education Officer, says a sampling of schools in the three counties of Kibaale found that more than 2,600 children registered had not reported for the beginning of term. Many teachers were also missing in action. Kyaboona has ordered all teachers to report for duty before Wednesday or face disciplinary action.

 

Tagged with: education upe

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Ronald Tumusiime