schools ordered not to increase fees

By: T. Mwajuma Twaha Adams

The first lady and Minister of Education and sports, Janet Museveni, has asked schools not to increase school fees in the coming education calendar.

Speaking at the release of Primary leaving Examinations ( PLE), Janet Museveni said that the cabinet that sat on Monday guided that all schools maintain the fees structure as they a wait further guidance on the matter.

She said as a sector they are not blind to the plight of parents and guardians as they grapple with the exorbitant school fees and charges in schools.

This has been our burden for some time now. Please know that we are a ware of the of the high commodity prices that have greatly affected the cost of running schools. But we must also be considerate of the plight of parents and guardians, ” said the first lady.

” It is my prayer therefore, that our schools, government schools, government aided schools and private schools will adhere to our guidance not to increase school fees in the next term as we all seek a fair and lasting solution to this matter.

She revealed that they recently worked in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy to carry out a study on the the UPE program with the main aim of determining whether there is a need to charge fees or not in schools.

A committee was constituted to conduct a study on the hiking of school fees and charges to help make an informed decision on the way forward.

She said the study has brought up several issues to the fore and is guiding discussions at the sector level.

In the past, educational institutions have increasingly hiked tuition fees at every school term opening despite repeated and laid government warnings against any unauthorised school fees increments.

She called upon parents to be responsible for their children while they are at home in the holiday.