education 30 September 2026 Nile Post
Mayuge Chairman Urges Minister to Revoke School Fees Ban, Cites Falling Education Standards
Mayuge District Chairperson David Ziija has appealed to the Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, to withdraw a directive prohibiting government schools from collecting fees from parents. Ziija warns that the ban could significantly impact school operations and the quality of education. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/374399/mayuge-chairman-asks-minister-to-drop-school-fees-ban-warns-of-falling-education-standards
Mayuge District Chairperson David Ziija is urging the Minister of State for Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, to reconsider and withdraw a recent directive that bans government schools from charging parents fees. Ziija expressed concerns that this ban could negatively affect the operational capacity and educational standards of these institutions.
During a community event in Bunya East Constituency, Ziija highlighted the crucial role parents play in supplementing government funding. He emphasized that parental contributions are vital for covering essential school needs not fully addressed by capitation grants, such as meals, school infrastructure like fencing, and transportation.
Ziija explained that these contributions are often used for various expenses, including construction projects, daily meals for students, examination fees, and supporting teachers hired through Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to fill staffing shortages. He noted that government schools often operate with limited grants, making parental financial support indispensable.
The District Chairperson advised leaders to first visit schools and understand how these parental funds are utilized before enforcing the ban. He cautioned that implementing the directive without an alternative funding mechanism could leave many schools struggling to sustain their operations and meet staffing requirements.
Mayuge Chief Administrative Officer Abdu Batambuze corroborated these concerns, reporting that school heads have expressed significant dissatisfaction with the directive. He shared an example from Bunya Secondary School, which faces a severe teacher deficit, relying on parent contributions to hire additional educators to serve its large student population.
Batambuze advised school heads to continue collecting contributions until clearer guidance is provided by the ministry on how to manage the financial gap created by the ban. The Mayuge CAO stressed that without these funds, some schools might be forced to send students home, potentially leading to legal issues for administrators.