VIDEO: Government registers improvement in education sector but high attrition levels persist
BY Salmah Namwanje
Government has noted with concern the high attrition rate especially in private schools, as one of the major challenges facing the sector.
Keep Reading
This was during the Education sector review where greater improvement was reported from enrolment, infrastructure development, and teacher training among others.
In the 207/2018 financial year the ministry of education was allocated Shs 2.5 trillion, according to the ministry all the money allocated to the ministry was put to good use.
Shs324 billion was invested in infrastructure, to increase access and improve the quality of teaching and learning environment.
Districts; Alebtong, Arua, Bukwo, Ibanda, Isingiro and Kapchworwa got new primary schools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOOiSObO2p0
The permanent secretary ministry of education however noted that despite the smooth progress, the ministry has registered a number of challenges. Among the challenges is the high attrition level. He says this is mostly in private schools where teachers are working with no employment contracts, employment terms below standards.
The ministry says they will carry on sensitisation as one way of dealing with the problem. 50% of the teachers are always on the move looking for better working conditions and others are sacked which leaves some schools with no experienced teachers.
Low community participation, high costs of Technical and Vocational Education Training and high pupil/student classroom ration are some of the challenges.
The education minister Janet Kataha Museveni while presiding over the sector review called for continuous engagement with parents to make them appreciate their role in the education of their children.
The country representative DFID Jennie Barugh notes that the increased enrollment is a step in the right direction that is helping the country build human capital.
The ministry is also in final stages of reviewing the lower secondary curriculum that looks at reducing subjects from 40 to 20 among others.
