Kampala — According to a Saturday Vision analysis of the 10-year O'level performance in 60 government-aided schools, there are huge disparities among schools in different regions.

Those in the central region passed an average of 72% candidates in division one, those in the west, east and north respectively passed 44%, 41% and 26% of their candidates in the same division.

The 60 schools studied by Saturday Vision were all built to meet high education standards and recorded impressive performances in their maiden decades.

Their performances were comparable regardless of the regions they were in. That has drastically changed over the years. Many of the upcountry schools have become mere shadows of their former selves. Their infrastructure has gone to waste and some have more subjects than teachers. Consequently, students' performance has sunk.

Meanwhile, schools like Mt. St. Mary's Namagunga in the central region are improving from excellent to incredible performances, with 100% first grade passes. Their old infrastructure has been improved. While Sesame Girls School in Kisoro has been fundraising for laboratory equipment for years, St. Mary's Kisubi is seeking to build an Olympic size swimming pool.

Where is the fairness in that?

Clearly, the Ministry of Education ought to do something about these disparities. Like was done for the girl child, affirmative action towards poorly performing schools should be instituted. They need preferential funding, infrastructure and management support from Government and their founding bodies.