The Masindi LC V Chairperson, Cosmas Byaruhanga told parents to understand that there is no free education world over. He asked parents to always play their role by providing the necessary support to their children and forget free education.
Residents and leaders from Bunyoro sub region
want government to formalize cost sharing in government schools. This came up
during an education conference organized by Recreation for Development and
Peace (RDP) in partnership with Action Aid Uganda at the Education hall in
Masindi town on Friday.
Speaking during the Conference, Joab Businge, the Mayor
Masindi municipality, said there is need for government to formalize cost
sharing in government schools so as to reduce negligence on the part of
parents. He says this will also enable local leaders and law enforcement
officers to compel parents to meet their obligations.
Businge explained that many parents in
villages have abandoned their responsibilities and expect government to do
everything, which isn’t possible. Allen Akugizibwe from Miirya Sub County and a
teacher at Kings College Buddo supported the proposal.
He explained that since
it is impossible for government to meet all the school requirements, it is
important for parents to complement government efforts, which will lead to
improved performance.
President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has
repeatedly cautioned school heads against collecting money from parents with
children in government schools.
However, the school heads, District Education Officers
and Inspectors of Schools, say they are left with no choice but to solicit
support from parents because of the meager government grants compared to the
number of pupils.
Ali Babi, a resident of Hoima district argued
that for to attain quality education, government has to accept that parents
have a role to play in supporting the education of their children. The Masindi
LC V Chairperson, Cosmas Byaruhanga told parents to understand that there is no
free education world over.
He asked parents to always play their role by providing
the necessary support to their children and forget free education. The Masindi Resident District Commissioner,
Godfrey Nyakahuma welcomed the idea, saying parents can contribute towards the
education of their children.
He however, warned head teachers against sending
away the learners in case their parents fail to raise the required fees. He noted that district councils and school
management committees can come out with resolutions but ensure they don’t affect
other children.
Robert Muhangi, the RDP Executive Director,
said the conference was organized to enable leaders from Bunyoro region to come
up with a position paper on issues, which can contribute to the improvement of
academic performance in their area.
According to Muhangi, they will present the issues generated
from the conference in the national education
conference slated for December 30th, 2019 in Kampala.
By Yosam Gucwaki
URN Editor
Freelancer