Policymakers want head teachers of government-aided schools who hiked fees minus authorization from the Ministry of Education and Sports reprimanded.
Led by the Minister of State for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo on Tuesday, 23 August 2022, Members of Parliament on the Committee of Education and Sports made the demand while meeting officials from education ministry,
They are processing a motion seeking government’s intervention in fees increment for government-aided schools, justification of statutory grants to government-aided schools and recruitment of sufficient teaching and non-teaching staff.
Committee chairperson, John Twesigye, questioned why the ministry does not take disciplinary action against head teachers of government-aided schools who increase fees arbitrarily.
“These are the people whom you recruit. The problem we are trying to address is a matter that affects all of us. We are all parents. St. Mary’s College Kisubi charged Shs2.5 million last term and they plan to increase this term,” he said.
Godfrey Macho, Busia Municipality MP blamed the increment of school fees on the laxity of the ministry in inspecting schools and failure to discipline errant head teachers.
“The committee should invite head teachers to explain why they are increasing school fees. We have ministers but they do not have authority over teachers,” said Macho.
He also asked the ministry to provide a list of all government-aided schools with their respective fees structures.
“Kawempe Muslim School is less than three kilometres from the Ministry of Education and Sports and it is one of the government-aided schools charging exorbitant school fees. Each student pays Shs2 million per term. Is the government aware of this?” he wondered.
The Chairperson of Education Service Commission, Rev. Prof. Dr Samuel Luboga, said that his office is willing to take disciplinary action against head teachers who increase school fees without permission.
