Parliament Directs Education Ministry to Regulate School Fees

Parliament has directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to present a statutory instrument to regulate school fees increments.

Speaker Anita Among communicated this directive during the plenary sitting on Tuesday, 17 January 2023.

Her directive comes amidst a tough economic situation with many school proprietors charging learners exorbitantly to the detriment of parents and students alike.

Among stated that these actions can potentially deny students their right to education, emphasizing how important it is for families to afford school fees equally regardless of location or type.

Bukooli County Member of Parliament, Hon. Solomon Silwany, commented on how some institutions hide extra fees under requirements such as development fees, while Tororo District Woman Representative, Hon. Sarah Opendi brought attention to the widening inequality in education institutions throughout Uganda.

“It is not just about school fees; we need to have equity in this country. Why should we have government-aided schools and some schools established by certain institutions, with the government paying teachers, but they still charge fees higher than a university,” she said  In February 2022, Opendi moved a motion seeking a resolution of Parliament to address the problem of government and private schools charging learners exorbitant fees.

The matter was referred to the Committee of Education and Sport to investigate and make appropriate recommendations to the government for consideration.

However, Hon. Cuthbert Abigaba, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Education and Sports said that the draft report is ready pending a review meeting on 24 January 2023 before the final report is tabled for adoption and subsequent debate.