education 9 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Tororo Parents Defy Ban on School Fees to Fund UPE Schools
Parents and stakeholders in Tororo District are challenging the Ministry of Education's directive against extra charges in UPE and USE schools, opting to continue paying voluntary fees to maintain educational standards and operational needs. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/parents-stakeholders-back-extra-fees-to-save-falling-standards-in-tororo-upe-schools-5625630
Parents in Tororo District have voiced strong opposition to the Ministry of Education and Sports’ directive prohibiting additional fees in Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools. During a heated Annual General Meeting at Rock View Primary School, parents unanimously declared their intention to continue paying voluntary contributions, arguing that government funding is insufficient to run the schools effectively.
The controversy erupted when the headteacher announced the suspension of all extra charges, including PTA levies and development fees, in compliance with ministry guidelines. This would necessitate the closure of nursery sections, halting uniform sales, and shelving essential infrastructure projects like school fencing and borehole drilling.
Parents insisted that the Shillings 20,000 capitation grant per child per year is inadequate. “A child cannot learn without chalk, teachers, or lunch,” stated one parent, Sarah Achieng, emphasizing their commitment to supplementing school needs. Parents explicitly stated they were overriding the government’s order, absolving headteachers of any responsibility.
Concerns over severe staffing shortages and inadequate funding were highlighted, with one alumnus noting that 12 government teachers cater to over 2,319 students. “The directive could only work if the government assured us that it was going to deploy more teachers and increase capitation grants,” said alumnus Geoffrey Napa, stressing the lack of consultation with border districts.
Religious bodies overseeing schools are also considering disengaging from government partnerships if the ban persists, with some encouraging parents to support schools that can operate independently. Local education officials, however, commended parents for their proactive approach to safeguarding the learning environment.
Despite the challenges, headteacher Abdu Gamoiza assured stakeholders that learning would continue normally, with no child being turned away. The Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Samuel Falijar, acknowledged the parents’ concerns but cautioned against using fees to exclude vulnerable pupils, reminding administrators of the financial struggles many parents face.