By Tracy Oiko Acen,
PARLIAMENT
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, on Tuesday urged the government to review the Shs20,000 capitation grant allocated annually to each pupil studying under the Universal Primary Education (UPE).
According to the LoP, the future of these students cannot be secured with such “a meager” investment tasking government to explain the delays of capitation grants for this academic year that commenced on Monday 5 February, 2024.
Ssenyonyi said the delays have forced some schools to remain closed due to lack of funds.
“Once this money is not availed to the schools then how do we expect them to operate? Indeed some schools have actually not opened yet.” Ssenyonyi said.
He added, “I do not know why we delay to send this money and yet we know when the schools will open.”
Laura Kanushu, the national representative of persons with disabilities in parliament also expressed disappointments over government’s failure to provide enough funds and specialized teachers to schools with children with disabilities.
“I think as a government, we have decided that PWDS should not go to school or if they go, they should fail. How can we deny children learning material?” she asked.
The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, said that the delay in release of the capitation grant to schools is occasioned by delays at the Local Government level.
“When we release the capitation grant to districts, we expect local governments to warrant and sometimes districts take their time. Some schools have already received funds, others are still in the process of warranting,” he said.
He added that government already released Shs134 billion in the third quarter for capitation grant.
These demands prompted the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa who chaired the session to direct the Ministry of Education and Sports to table a report on the performance of schools with children with disabilities next week.
