Slash MPs’ car cash to fund poor schools – MP Kabanda

MPIGI.

Masaka District Woman MP Mary Babirye Kabanda has urged government to slash the budget for purchase of new vehicles for MPs and use the money to improve infrastructure in dilapidated public schools.

Ms Kabanda also wondered why government has continued to close down private schools with poor facilities when many of its own are in a sorry state.

“If government feels schools which do not meet the necessary standards must be closed, it should start with its own schools because many of them are doing badly in terms of infrastructure,” she said.

She made the remarks this week during a visit to Zzimwe Cope Primary School, a government-aided school in Kyannamukaaka Sub-county. She was accompanied by a delegation from Cross Borders Foundation of UK.
Ms Kabanda and her delegation inspected the school following a Daily Monitor story which indicated its sorry state.

“MPs cannot bag Shs150m each when the people they are meant to serve do not access basic needs like quality education. It is a shame,” Ms Kabanda said.

By October, each of the 427 MPs will pocket Shs150m to buy cars, translating into an expenditure of Shs64 billion.

Ms Kabanda and her delegation were shocked to learn that two classes shared a room, while others conduct classes under tree shades.
Primary Seven candidates at the school share one geometry set in addition to studying under unroofed makeshift shelters.