Nabbanja Orders Crackdown on Gov’t Schools Charging Fees

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has threatened arrests for headteachers of Universal Primary and Secondary Education schools that charge students school fees.

Nabbanja expressed her disappointment during an anti-poverty campaign in Lyantonde district.

“Mr. Chairman, there are these committees that arbitrarily increase fees. They have money and assume everyone else does. These committee members share this money with the teachers. However, we are losing tomorrow’s leaders by sending learners home for failing to pay school fees and other requirements.” Nabbanja said.

With a pass rate of less than 20%, Lyantonde is one of the worst-performing districts in national examinations. The Prime Minister believes this is partly due to the situation caused by headteachers. Students who are chased from school are unable to invest time in their education.

Similarly, this has also contributed to the worrying levels of school dropouts in the district. Nabbanja also blamed the dropouts on high levels of poverty in the district, which means many parents cannot afford the instituted fees. Only 37 percent of pupils who start Primary One in public schools in Lyantonde complete the primary level. This accounts for a dropout rate of 63%.

“I came from a poor family, and although my story changed, I know we have poor children who can overcome their circumstances and succeed like I did. However, if we continuously send these children home due to school requirements, how will they change their stories?” she asked.

“Our investigations revealed that these dropouts are due to the failure to pay school requirements. I am now ordering you, the RDC, DPC, and DEO, to ensure that all government school teachers who chase children home for failing to pay school requirements are arrested.” Nabbanja added.

Lyantonde District Chairperson Fred Muhanji supported the teachers, arguing they aren’t entirely at fault. He pointed out that poor conditions in government schools compel parents to give extra money to help with teachers’ housing and sustenance.