Children from low-income families are disproportionately affected, with many struggling to keep up with the high costs, which has led to a rise in dropouts.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has called on the government to double capitation grants and introduce stricter regulations on school fees for Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools.
This follows a recent EOC study that revealed significant inequalities in school fees across Uganda's government and private schools, contributing to increased dropout rates, particularly among vulnerable learners.
The study highlights how disproportionate fees, especially in private institutions, are exacerbating educational disparities.
Children from low-income families are disproportionately affected, with many struggling to keep up with the high costs, which has led to a rise in dropouts.
Suzanne Nambatya, a researcher at the EOC, emphasized the need for stronger regulation of school fees.
"It's crucial to have clear guidelines on how much and how often fees can be increased to prevent illegal hikes in the education system," she said.
According to the study, Western Uganda leads in charging exorbitant fees, even under the UPE and USE systems. The data reveals a concerning disparity in school fees charged across regions:
UPE Schools (Average Fees per Term)
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- National Average: Shs 49,677
- Western Uganda: Shs 72,715 (Range: 30,000 - 89,000)
- Central Uganda: Shs 58,169 (Range: 23,500 - 130,600)
- Northern Uganda: Shs 49,866 (Range: 9,000 - 172,600)
- Eastern Uganda: Shs 30,706 (Range: 2,235 - 78,000)
USE Schools (Average Fees per Term)
- National Average: Shs 157,850
- Western Uganda: Shs 172,650 (Range: 80,000 - 364,000)
- Central Uganda: Shs 161,600 (Range: 80,000 - 322,000)
- Northern Uganda: Shs 163,483 (Range: 74,000 - 250,000)
- Eastern Uganda: Shs 142,750 (Range: 30,000 - 320,000)
Non-USE, Government-Funded Schools (Average Fees)
- National Average: Shs 1.26M (Range: 450,000 - 3M)
- Central Uganda: Shs 2.25M (Range: 1.2m - 3m)
- Western Uganda: Shs 913,150 (Range: 483,500 - 2.02m)
- Northern Uganda: Shs 490,000 (Range: 310,000 - 700,000)
- Eastern Uganda: Shs 915,812 (Range: 450,000 - 1.6m)
Private Secondary Schools (Average Fees)
- National Average: Shs 1.005M (Range: 270,000 - 3.3m)
- Central Uganda: Shs 1.5M (Range: 570,000 - 3.3m)
- Northern Uganda: Shs 813,333 (Range: 344,000 - 1.2m)
- Western Uganda: Shs 395,500 (Range: 280,000 - 560,000)
- Eastern Uganda: Shs 562,824 (Range: 270,000 - 1.1m)
The study shows that the primary cause of exorbitant fees, particularly in UPE and USE schools, is the late release of government funds, which disrupts school operations.
Additionally, there is no standard guideline on fees charged, further complicating efforts to maintain affordable education.
The EOC stressed the need for regulated fee increases to ensure education remains accessible to all.
As the current system disproportionately affects Uganda's most vulnerable learners, reforming school fee regulations will be essential in fostering equality in education.
