Kiryandongo parents decry exorbitant charges in government schools

Kiryandongo: Parents in Kiryandongo district are facing significant challenges with the high fees in government schools, which are supposed to be more affordable. This issue is leading to increased school dropouts as many families cannot afford the costs.

Fred Kyamanywa, a parent at Kibanda Secondary School, mentioned paying between Shs250,000 and Shs300,000 for his children in different classes.

According to Kyamanywa, such money is much in government schools, yet they were established to support the poor. He stresses that due to the above charges, most children have dropped out of school since their parents can’t afford to pay fees.

Sestina Kuhinira, another parent, pays Shs400,000 for her two children, excluding additional requirements like paper and food. These costs are indeed high for government schools, which were intended to support less privileged families.

‘’Apparently, I’m paying 400,000 shillings for my two children at Kibanda Secondary School, exclusive of other requirements. I’m therefore appealing to the district authorities to intervene into the vice of exorbitant charges in government schools.’’

Ronald Sebirungi, the LC1 Chairperson for Kyemera Village, acknowledges that many children have dropped out of schools due to the high cost of education.

‘’Many children have dropped out of schools due to the high cost of education, and it’s unfortunate the leaders have not intervened into the matter.’’

Efforts to get a comment from the authorities at Kibanda Secondary School were futile since our reporter was blocked from accessing the school premises and phone calls arraigned to the head teacher went unanswered.

However, the Kiryandongo Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Martin Jacan Gwokto, acknowledged that his office has been receiving such reports, but they cautioned school administrators against illegal charging.

Jacan, who condemned the act, said he would take the matter up with relevant offices, mostly the RDC, and ensure the culprits are brought to book.

Samuel Mbabazi, the Assistant RDC Kiryandongo, says he has received many complaints from parents over exorbitant charges in government schools and vowed that the culprits will be apprehended and brought to book.

This situation highlights a broader issue of unregulated fees in schools, which has been a concern in various regions. A report by the Equal Opportunities Commission found that despite programs like Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE), additional fees are still being levied on parents, making education less accessible for vulnerable groups.

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