Following complaints by MPs that they have been reduced to digging latrines and buying pens and boxes of chalk in schools in their constituencies, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has tasked the Ministry of Education to produce a report on the status of UPE schools in Uganda.
Tayebwa’s directive followed a concern raised by Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West), who raised concerns over the delays by the Ministry of Education to send capitation grants to schools on account of the education institutions’ failure to verify the numbers of their learners, arguing that the burden has now been shifted to MPs.
“We need an audit of UPE schools in Uganda. Can you give us the status of these UPE schools? It is these MPs who are building toilets for UPE schools, who are putting in blackboards, painting, and everything. The little money you are giving is useless, but you aren’t sending it in time. You are talking of clearing 159 local governments, and even those who are cleared haven’t got their money. What is happening? Head teachers are calling MPs for assistance to buy pieces of chalk and red and blue pens. So, where are we heading? We need a report on the status of UPE schools in Uganda; otherwise, what we have in our schools is appalling,” said Ssewungu.
Moriku Kaducu, Minister of State for Primary Education, asked Parliament to accord the Ministry three months to gather information before the report is brought to Parliament, a plea that was granted.
