FDC Criticizes Government Over 'Free Education' Shortcomings as Term Begins

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is raising concerns about the state of Uganda’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs as the third school term gets underway. The party alleges that insufficient government investment and a limited number of state-owned educational facilities are undermining the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Robert Centenary, FDC Vice Chairperson, highlighted that the government owns a minority of primary and secondary schools in Uganda. He questioned the capacity of these government institutions to accommodate the nation’s entire student population, especially given the government’s encouragement for parents to utilize UPE and USE schools.

This situation, according to the FDC, places a significant financial burden on parents, who are compelled to pay for various expenses, contrary to the concept of free education. The party points to stagnant capitation grants for primary schools, which have reportedly remained at around Shs20,000 per learner annually since 2016, a figure significantly lower than in neighboring countries.

The FDC also accuses the government of failing to fulfill past promises, such as establishing schools in every parish and sub-county, and implementing programs like free sanitary pads for girls and school feeding initiatives. They argue that the absence of these supports adds further strain, particularly on families in rural areas.

To address these issues, the FDC proposes reforms including a shift to a two-term academic calendar, increased and predictable funding for UPE and USE, government-sponsored school feeding programs, and the provision of menstrual hygiene materials. They advocate for education to remain a public responsibility and urge the government to enhance investment in public schooling and meet its prior commitments.

Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/370633/fdc-says-govt-schools-cannot-absorb-learners-as-third-term-begins