CHANGES EXPECTED: Parents May Soon Start Officially Paying Schools Fees for Children in UPE Schools

Parents with children in schools under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) may soon be asked to officially pay some money in form of school fees.

Started about three decades ago, the UPE program was expected to offer free education.

But some schools have been charging money for remedial lessons, uniform and other necessities, some of which parents have been complaining about.

Given that government offers little money in capitation grant, some have been proposing a cost-sharing arrangement where parents and government make a contribution.

Now, according to information minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, first lady Janet Museveni’s ministry of education has embarked on a survey to find the views of parents on paying school fees in UPE schools.

The review was one the issues discussed by cabinet on March 14, 2022.

The study by the ministry is expected to end in June after which the findings will informs the decision on school fees payment in public schools.

“It was also noted that the Ministry of Education and Sports is carrying out a study on whether Ugandan parents are willing and able to pay fees in UPE as USE schools,” said Baryomunsi.

“The findings of the study, expected in June this year, will inform government on whether to allow further payment of fees or not.”

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