UNSA CRITICISES SCHOOL FEES BAN, SAYS STUDENTS ARE GOING HUNGRY
UNSA Speaker Tendo Henry Martin
NILE POST
The Uganda National Students’ Association says the ban on school fees payments in government-aided schools has contributed to challenges including hunger, teacher shortages and disruptions to learning.
The Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) has criticised the government’s ban on school fees payments in government-aided schools, saying the policy has contributed to hunger among learners, teacher shortages and disruptions to learning.
Speaking on behalf of the students’ body, UNSA Speaker Tendo Henry Martin said the policy was introduced without adequate measures to address the needs of learners and schools that previously relied on parental contributions.
“We as students are suffering. Students are hungry, even teachers are hungry. Hon. Balaam stopped the payment of school fees in government-aided schools, but he did not bring food or teachers,” Tendo said.
The remarks come amid an ongoing campaign by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi against what the government describes as illegal fees charged in government-aided schools.
While the campaign is intended to protect parents from what the government considers unlawful charges, UNSA says the abrupt implementation has created challenges for schools that previously relied on parental contributions to provide meals, hire additional teachers and purchase scholastic materials.
The students’ association claims some schools have been forced to scale back operations, with some reportedly resorting to day-school arrangements because of limited resources.
Tendo also questioned whether government capitation grants are sufficient to meet the needs of learners.
“Government pays about Shs60,000 per student per term at O-Level, yet students are expected to survive on that amount for an entire term. This is unfair,” he said.
UNSA further raised concerns over teacher shortages, saying some government-aided schools previously depended on teachers hired through Parent-Teacher Association arrangements.
The association also claims that hunger is affecting learners’ concentration, with some students reportedly failing to return for afternoon lessons after leaving school in search of food.
UNSA said it has written several letters to Minister Balaam and the Ministry of Education and Sports seeking dialogue, but claims it has not received a response.
In a statement issued on September 20, the association called for the reinstatement of lunch fees, recruitment of more teachers and an urgent meeting between the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.
UNSA has also appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and help address the challenges it says are facing learners in government-aided schools.
Upcoming on 90.9 FM
Upcoming on 94.5 FM
Upcoming on 101.4 FM
Upcoming on 104.8 FM
Comments
This post currently has no comments.