Mixed reactions on social media over Kabojja Junior School entry fees for speech day concert

A section of the public has dashed on social media to condemn the management of Kabojja Junior School over what they call financial exploitation following a circular in which they indicated to parents a Shs 30,000 entry fees requirement in order to attend their children’s speech day concert activities.

In the circular dated August 8, 2019, the school’s Headmaster Richard Okiror, said the end of term concert will be staged by pupils from pre-primary to Primary three only and parents are invited to attend, witness and cheer up their children as they ‘display their exhilarating presentations in singing and dancing’.

“Entry fee shall be at Shs30,000 per adult person. Tickets shall be sold in advance to parents and guardians from their respective class teachers. We may not have enough tickets for everybody but will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Only ticket holders shall be allowed entry. P.4-P.7, due to limited space, are advised to stay home. In the event that parents bring them, they shall be expected to pay entry fees and should not wear school uniforms,” said Okiror.

The circular which was later shared heavily on social media with  condemnation of what a few called a rip off from the school.

“This broad daylight theft should stop. Where on earth do I have to pay to see my child perform? Winslet Atieno posed.

“So I have to pay to see my kids perform. Don't I pay school fees?? Pamela Kabahuma wondered

“My daughter's school would do what we call speech days and wanted me a parent who pays school fees to pay so as to see her do the dance on the stage I refused and I will never. I didn't go through labor, pay school fees and then someone makes me pay more to see my child dance, she can dance for me at home and I will enjoy and laugh use that entrance fee to buy her a dress, ice-cream and we have a happy day. What annoys most they would never at least make a meal for those little ones to have as lunch on that entrance fee,” Ritah Ritah weighed in.

“I once refused to pay at my kids' school they tried to stop me at the gate and I told them am not leaving my kid behind, they just let me in because they knew my kid was to participate in almost every activity. It's not fair because some schools even ask for costumes from parents and in the end they make us pay to see our kids perform,” said Namubiru Rebecca.

On the other hand, a bigger percentage of people on social media see nothing wrong with the decision by management. These claim that parents at Kabojja are capable and better understand the requirements of their school, so should be left to decide, unless they are complaining.

AZ Anyongere said that: “We have over 2000 schools in Kampala when you decide to take your child to a school where fees have skyrocketed, it means that you can afford, most parents especially women, follow a bandwagon simply because a neighbor takes her kid there. You have to live within your means.”

“Why don't you leave people to run their private business the way they wish. If you can’t manage, get another school,” Henry Sikes Ahabwe interjected.

“If a parent can pay fees at Kabojja then 30,000 is just Minor. Do they give refreshments and lunch to parents and maybe special to the children that day? Do they hire costumes? Maybe the Shs30,000 is facilitation charge,” Shaks Akan said.

“You can't eat what you can't swallow. Schools which don't charge are there. if that parent can't afford let him go,” Nalunga Saubah.

Julia Kawalya took it a notch higher saying: ‘Ten years ago I would complain over such stuff but we serve a living God who uplifts. Lord keep rising me, I don’t have the energy to make noise over Shs30,000.”