At least Nine Directors of Private primary schools and headteachers are in custody at the Kagadi central police station for allegedly operating without the valid licenses from the Ministry of Education and Sports. The operation targeted institutions that had previously ignored directives to obtain operational permits.
The directors whose particulars have been concealed for fear of jeopardizing investigations were arrested on Monday during an operation commanded by the Kagadi Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Jeremy Natumanya, in collaboration with education officials from Kagadi.
The affected individuals include those from Christ the King Nursery and Primary School in Kambaba sub county, Bravo Primary School in Kiryanjaji sub county, St Ambrose Primary School in Mugoija sub county, Ebenezer Quality School and St Peter and Paul Primary School both situated in Bugwara sub county, and Alpha Nursery and Primary School.
The authorities found the schools conducting lessons despite lacking the operational licenses. The Deputy RDC and the Education authorities have ordered for the immediate closure of the schools since they were enrolling pupils in unlicensed schools and advised parents to enroll their children in legally recognized schools.
According to Natumanya, the Deputy RDC, they have taken decisive action against private primary schools operating without valid licenses warning that the operation will continue across the district to ensure that all schools operating illegally are closed. He said some of the schools were found operating in dilapidated structures.
Beatrace Mbabazi, Kagadi Acting District Education Officer (DEO), said the operation was conducted following numerous warnings issued to the school proprietors to close their schools since they were operating illegally, but in vain.
He has appealed to parents to visit the school premises where they take their children for studies to ensure the schools meet the required standard on top of having the requisite licenses to operate. Some parents and pupils have since been left stranded following the operation.
Jackson Alinda, a parent at Ebenezer Quality Primary school said, he had already paid school for her daughter at the school but was shocked when his daughter was sent home after the operation. Reports from the Kagadi District Education department indicate that over 100 private primary schools in the district are operating without authorization.
This is contrary to Section 40(a) and (b) of the Education Act 2008, which makes it illegal for a person to establish or maintain a school which is not classified and registered in accordance to this Act-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
