MPs uncover rot in free education

The report says, although USE and UPE have benefited many Ugandans, especially the poor, “this achievement has been grossly watered down by the often inadequate, inefficient and ineffective response to inherent challenges.”

This translates into a percentage increment of 19 per cent up from 17 per cent the previous financial year.

In its recent report, the World Bank noted that despite their support to Uganda over the past decade, as of 2005, the average number of students per classroom was still 94, and three students were sharing a single textbook.

Being abused
Mr Siraje Nsanja, a parent and lecturer at Kampala University, said the entire UPE and USE programme should be overhauled because it is being abused especially in rural areas. “Some head teachers maintain a list of students and teachers who are nonexistent yet they are on the government payroll. Government should redesign the entire programme,” he said.

Other teachers Daily Monitor talked to said the two government programmes are good but need to be streamlined.

The MPs also found out that sanitary facilities in schools were appalling.

In Wakiso District, 22 per cent primary schools were on the brink of closure due to inadequate latrine facilities