Uganda Refugee Schools Face Crisis as 1,500 Teachers Go Unpaid

Over 200,000 refugee students in Uganda are at risk of an interrupted academic year due to a severe funding crisis affecting the education sector. The issue stems from significant cuts in donor funding, leading to an inability to pay an estimated 1,500 teachers who continue to report for duty in refugee schools.

Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Mr. Sam Engola, expressed grave concern over the situation, particularly for students in candidate classes preparing for Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). He warned that any disruption could have devastating consequences for these learners.

The crisis has already led to the layoff of over 1,000 staff by major humanitarian organizations. Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi, Commissioner for Basic Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasized the urgency of retaining teachers to safeguard students’ academic futures and appealed for immediate bridging support from development partners while a long-term financing framework is finalized with the World Bank.

According to Ms. Margaret Atieno, UNHCR Country Representative to Uganda, the current approach to refugee management needs strategic evolution. She noted that traditional humanitarian responses are no longer sufficient for the large and protracted refugee population, highlighting that international partners are unwilling to continue providing stop-gap funding.

Uganda currently hosts over two million refugees, primarily from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The funding gap significantly impacts 13 host districts, and the government is working to secure sustainable funding through the national budget and multilateral partners to ensure the continuity of essential services.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/1-500-teachers-face-unpaid-wages-as-funding-shortfalls-hit-refugee-schools-5622478