Speaking during the National celebration of World Population Day in Alebtong district, the President blamed some schools for imposing exorbitant fees on parents, hindering their ability to keep their children in school.
President
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has singled out "illegal fees" as a major
factor contributing to the high rate of school dropouts in Uganda.
Speaking
during the National celebration of World Population Day in Alebtong district,
the President blamed some schools for imposing exorbitant fees on parents,
hindering their ability to keep their children in school.
Uganda
has made significant strides in achieving universal primary and secondary
education through the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary
Education (USE) programs.
However, the President expressed concern that certain
schools are exploiting the system by charging illegal fees, undermining the
government's efforts to provide free education.
In his message, delivered by Vice President
Jessica Alupo, President Museveni emphasized the need for technical skills
development among youth as an alternative to solely pursuing white-collar jobs.
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He
highlighted the importance of empowering young people with practical skills
that can enhance their employability and contribute to the country's economic
growth.
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Prof. Frederick Wabwire Mangen, Chairperson
of the National Population Council, shed light on additional reasons for school
dropouts, particularly child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Citing a study
by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), he revealed that a significant
percentage of girls aged 15 to 19 had already started childbearing, indicating
the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in the country.
The National Population
Council plans to launch a campaign against teenage pregnancy in the Lango
sub-region, where it is most prevalent.
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Echoing these concerns, David Kennedy
Odongo, the Chairperson of Alebtong District, called on the government to establish
a policy on positive parenting to prevent teenage pregnancies and school
dropouts in the Lango sub-region.
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Amos Lugolobi, the Minister of State for
Planning and Economic Development, emphasized the need for a mindset change to
address the challenges of school dropouts.
He acknowledged that the issue
extends beyond financial barriers, requiring a shift in societal attitudes and
beliefs.
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According to data from UBOS, a significant
percentage of children aged 6 to 12 have never attended school, with reasons
cited including being too young or considering education too expensive.
