By Mercy Baluka,
NATIONAL
As schools reopen for a new academic year next week on Monday 3rd February, 2025, the government has warned headteachers against charging high school fees from parents.
These warnings were issued by the minister of ICT, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi during a media briefing at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday.
According to the minister charging exorbitant school fees denied learners from families with financial difficulties their rights to access quality and affordable education. Minister Baryomunsi further expressed concerns about government schools which are charging fee from parents yet the president has been hitherto saying that education in Universal Primary and Secondary schools is free.
“We appeal to Head teachers and Managers of the schools to desist from charging exorbitant fees especially the government schools because the intention of the government is to allow children to access affordable education,” he stated.
Additionally, the called for leniency to parents who will not have fully cleared fee on the opening day.
“Schools should also be lenient to parents in terms of payments of school fees because there are some schools which chase away students on the very first day of reporting when they haven’t cleared school fees,” Baryomunsi explained.
Schools without licenses have also been implored to acquire them before reopening as per the government rules and regulations. Meanwhile, the government has also advised parents to prepare their children to report back to school, start a new term and a new year.
