We need a policy on school fees
Some schools demand for materials such as paint, barbed wire, rakes, spades, cement, brooms, 12 rolls of toilet papers, and 12 reams of paper per student, among others.
What you need to know:
- I, therefore, call upon the Ministry of Education and Sports to front and pass a uniform school fees and requirements policy if all Ugandans are to have the education that they desire. This will also enable the country to attain Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 4 on quality education for all as a country.
I have in the recent past encountered scenarios where students and pupils have failed to get back to school simply because the fees is hiked every term with no clear justification. Only one reason is always given - that the economy is not doing well.
Everyone has a right to education and it is unfortunate that schools that are meant to promote this right are in actual sense violating it by their irregular fees increments causing many to drop out or do not go to school.
For instance, I have known schools that ask for more than Shs1,500,000 as fees per term and this is without school requirements, which are by and large irregular.
Some schools demand for materials such as paint, barbed wire, rakes, spades, cement, brooms, 12 rolls of toilet papers, and 12 reams of paper per student, among others.
One wonders whether these schools are going to set up hardware and stationery shops or actually to study.
Secondly, what is the school fees for if students and pupils must all the time carry these requirements? I have also had a chance to look at the fees breakdown of some schools and was surprised that parents actually pay for things like fees for needy students, generator fuel, pastoral care, building fees on top of school fees itself.
These different charges are irregular and extortionist. Schools are at a liberty to set their own guidelines, especially on fees and in doing this, they are leaving out many needy Ugandans from accessing education.
I have also known that some leaders who are supposed to oversee learning and education services in general, also own schools that charge these irregular and exorbitant fees. They, therefore, lack the moral authority to regulate this sector.
I, therefore, call upon the Ministry of Education and Sports to front and pass a uniform school fees and requirements policy if all Ugandans are to have the education that they desire. This will also enable the country to attain Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 4 on quality education for all as a country.
Michael Aboneka,
[email protected]
