Uganda: Calls for Reallocation of Govt Funding From Affluent Non-Use School

19 September 2024
Nile Post (Kampala)
By Joshua Kagoro

Institutions boasting advanced infrastructure, including modern classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, and cutting-edge technology, often reflect substantial financial resources.

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) is urging the government to reassess its funding allocations by withdrawing support from affluent, non-Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools and redirecting those resources to address more pressing educational needs across the country.

Susanne Nambatya, a researcher at the EOC, highlighted key indicators that can help identify affluent schools.

"Schools that charge significantly higher tuition fees compared to others in their region, or those with a high percentage of students from wealthy families--based on household income or parental occupations--are clear indicators of affluence," she explained.

Nambatya added that institutions boasting advanced infrastructure, including modern classrooms, laboratories, sports facilities, and cutting-edge technology, often reflect substantial financial resources.

Schools that receive large private donations or endowments from alumni or wealthy parents, and those that pay competitive salaries to highly qualified, sometimes international staff, are also considered affluent.

James Mugisha, the EOC's Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement, stressed the importance of equitable access to education. "We need to address illegal fees, exorbitant charges, and educational inequality across the country," he said, adding that discussions with the Ministry of Education and Sports are planned to tackle these issues.

Currently, under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, the government provides an annual capitation grant of Shs20,000 per student, Shs22,000 for students with special needs, and Shs 1.35 million per school.

For USE, the government allocates Shs175,000 per student, Shs192,500 for students with special needs, and Shs1.23 million for special needs students in specialized schools.

Additionally, Shs270,000 is provided for universal post-O-Level education and training.

The EOC's call to reallocate funds aims to ensure that government resources are directed toward schools and learners in need, enhancing access to free and affordable education for all Ugandans.

Read the original article on Nile Post.

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