Private city schools get guidelines

The guidelines will start taking effect on February 4 when schools open for first term.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has issued strict operational guidelines for private education institutions in the city.
In July 2012, Mr Huzaifa Mutazindwa, the director education standards in the Education ministry asked KCCA to eliminate illegal and substandard schools in the city.

Late last year, KCCA embarked on updating the list of private education institutions, developing guidelines and tightening mechanisms for their operation.

Ms Annie Galiwango, the KCCA director for education, said the guidelines have to be strictly observed effective February 4 when schools open for first term.

Ms Galiwango said a team of KCCA staff are on the ground to inspect the schools and learning institutions, assessing their standards by filling a specially designed form on current standards.

He said the guidelines shall also affect schools that were registered by KCCA and licenced but do not meet the basic guidelines.

Kampala has close to 2,000 education institutions including pre-primary, primary, secondary tertiary and other higher institutions of learning.

Most schools in Kawempe and Nakawa divisions are currently displaying advertisements inviting new students to register.

Mr Patrick Kaboyo, the executive director coalition of Uganda Private Schools Teachers Association, sounded hopeful that the process would help in compiling data for private schools in the city.

He said for close to 10 years, there have been no clear guidelines followed in opening up private schools, not only in Kampala but across the country.

Mr Kaboyo, however, added that the process needs to be transparent.

editorial@ug.nationmedia.com