Orphan detained over unpaid fees excels in PLE
Kampala. When other children left school after writing their last paper in the 2016 Primary Leaving Examinations in November last year, Fahad Kaweesa, was detained because he still owed the school Shs220,000 in fees.
It was only after pleas from his uncle, Mr Rashid Luwanga, that the school released Kaweesa after four days on promises that he would clear the fees balance during the holiday.
Unfortunately, the PLE results were released on Thursday before Kaweesa’s relatives could clear his dues. The good news, however, is that Kaweesa is among the excellent candidates who scored Aggregate Four.
“I am happy with the results,” Kaweesa coolly said on learning about his performance. He said this didn’t surprise him as he had outperformed his peers in the Wakiso District mock examinations.
An orphan, Kaweesa hopes to join King’s College Buddo where he believes his medical dream will be nurtured. But his biggest worry now is how this will come to reality with the pending unpaid balance at his former school, Kazo Summit Primary School, Wakiso District.
Delighted. Fahad Kaweesa (Left) of Kazo Summit Primary School in Wakiso District celebrates with his paternal uncle at MPL premises after scoring Aggregate 4 in PLE. PHOTO BY COLLEB MUGUME
Uncertain
“The school had given me a bursary and I would top it up with Shs220,000 per term. My family always found it difficult to pay up. I don’t even know whether I will get my results slip because I still owe the school some money. After my exams, I stayed at school for some days because I hadn’t paid up,” Kaweesa narrated.
Mr Luwanga is also worried whether his nephew will continue his studies if he doesn’t get some support.
“The school has been patient with us and we thank them. I don’t know whether my boy will be able to continue with his studies,” Mr Luwanga said.
Kazo head teacher Jane Ssewagudde on Thursday admitted that Kaweesa had school fees challenges but they were lenient as a school with him because he was a well-behaved boy and had been performing well for the time he had been in her school.
Appeal
Releasing the results, the Minister of Education, Ms Janet Museveni, asked parents to utilise schools implementing government’s free education programme because the demands there are relatively low.
However, parents continue to shun these institutions for private schools, arguing that the performance does not guarantee better grades in national examinations.
