By KT Reporter
Parents of St. Ignatius Misaali Government Primary School in Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Masaka City, have resisted the enforcement of the government’s no-fees policy, arguing it will compromise learning quality and lower their children’s academic performance.
The resistance follows a meeting convened by Masaka City Resident Commissioner (RCC) Ahamada Washaki, who castigated the school management for charging parents—contrary to government policy and President Yoweri Museveni’s directive.
In his address, Washaki urged parents to stop paying any fees and to report to his office if their children are chased from school or denied report cards. He emphasized that charging fees in government schools undermines Universal Primary and Secondary Education by making services unaffordable, leading to school dropouts.
For instance, Misaali charges 80,000 shillings per Primary Seven candidate and 60,000 shillings for non-candidate classes. The contributions cover lunch, PTA teacher allowances, weekend and evening lessons, and external exams.
Washaki bitterly warned the head teacher, Godfrey Kasozi, against defying the directive, threatening him with arrest if fees collection continued.
However, Alex Katimbo, Chairperson of the School Management Committee, challenged the RCC to stop inciting parents against providing complementary support.
He argued that the government’s resource allocations are too limited and that the financial contributions were unanimously agreed upon by parents to ensure quality education.
He said accountability for the funds is regularly given to parents, questioning why the RCC would disrupt a system embraced by the community.
Parents like Immaculate Namatovu and Resty Namwanje insisted they are satisfied with their contributions, saying they have seen tangible improvements in their children’s performance.
Namatovu appealed to the RCC not to interfere with mutual agreements between parents and teachers, warning that a populist approach will compromise service delivery.
Notably, in November last year, the Masaka Diocesan Education Secretariat openly rejected the government’s no-fees policy, calling it unreasonable.
Reverend Father Michael Kamulegeya, the Diocesan Education Secretary, argued that government support is insufficient compared to school demands, necessitating parental contributions to sustain quality education.
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