Premier lauds private schools

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda hands over a car to Ms Aisha Emolot, a former student of London College of St Lawrence, at the weekend. Photo by Faiswal Kasirye

Wakiso. Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has lauded private schools for contributing to the quality of primary and secondary school education in the country.
Dr Rugunda said whereas government introduced the universal education programme that has met the country’s education needs, the private schools have helped bridge the gap.
“Access to higher education has been tremendously boosted through liberalisation of education. Secondary education is particularly important in laying the foundation for research and innovation which are major pillars of today’s knowledge-based economies,” he said.
The premier made the remarks while presiding over an awards ceremony for academic excellence in the 2014 UCE and UACE examinations at London College of St Lawrence, Maya, Wakiso District at the weekend.
Dr Rugunda also tasked private educators to address the skills gap in the country’s education system.
“Private schools must always strive to respond better to the economic needs of the country. To do this, you have to find a balance between imparting theoretical knowledge and practical skills. I cannot over emphasise the importance of science education and technical skills development,” he said
Dr Rugunda thanked the school for registering 100 per cent students in Division One in last year’s UCE and UACE examinations and and qualifying up to 700 students to join Makerere University alone.
Former students of the schools who scored 20 points in the 2014 UACE exams were rewarded with vehicles.

Background
Since government decided in 1993 to liberalise the education sector, thousands of schools and institutions have been set up by private investors. In the secondary sub-sector, the number of private schools, about 4,000, is more than double the number of government funded schools. In 2008, the Ministry of Education set up the Private Schools and Institutions Department to cater for the vibrant and ever expanding private investment in education.