The Agago district in Uganda has launched a sensitisation campaign to clarify the difference between the government's Universal Primary Education programme and voluntary school contributions. This initiative aims to address concerns that disputes over payments could discourage enrolment and contribute to school dropouts. The campaign was launched at Ngora Primary School in Agago Town Council by Resident District Commissioner James Nabinson Kidega.
Kidega warned teachers against involving children in disputes over Parent-Teacher Association contributions, emphasising that the government provides a Universal Primary Education grant of Shs20,000 per learner to support schools. He stressed that parents remain free to agree on contributions to support their schools, but such arrangements should not interfere with a child's right to attend classes.
The district's intervention comes as Agago continues to struggle with low school attendance, with at least 51,815 children out of school in the second term, according to district chairperson Wilson Otto. Kidega said authorities would conduct headcounts in schools to establish the actual number of learners and compare the figures with school records.
Kidega urged parents to send their children back to school and said authorities would also monitor places where children are likely to spend school hours, including markets, video halls and gardens. This move aims to address concerns that children may be engaging in other activities instead of attending school.
Meanwhile, Parent-Teacher Association teachers have raised concerns that ending or reducing parent contributions without addressing their welfare could affect their ability to support learning in government schools. Cosmas Otto, a Parent-Teacher Association teacher at Patongo Primary School, expressed worry that some parents might stop contributing to school funds, leaving schools struggling to meet basic needs.
Lawrence Awila, another Parent-Teacher Association teacher at Patongo Primary School, highlighted issues with delayed payments and poor welfare of teachers, which are affecting morale and could ultimately undermine school performance. Awila said some teachers had experienced salary delays and difficulties arising from payroll problems, while Parent-Teacher Association teachers at the school were also not receiving agreed facilitation.
The district leadership said the sensitisation campaign would continue in the 110 government-aided schools as authorities seek to reconcile government Universal Primary Education funding with voluntary contributions agreed upon by parents. This effort aims to ensure that learners are not negatively impacted by disputes over Parent-Teacher Association contributions.
Key points
- Agago district warns schools against sending learners home over parents' failure to pay Parent-Teacher Association contributions.
- The district received alerts that some schools were demanding Parent-Teacher Association payments from parents before the reopening of schools.
- Authorities will conduct headcounts in schools to establish the actual number of learners and compare the figures with school records.
