The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has raised an alarm over the growing dropout crisis in primary education system, following the release of the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results.
According to UPC, out of over seven million pupils who enrolled in Primary One in 2018, only about three million sat for PLE in 2024, leaving 4.5 million pupils unaccounted for.
In a press statement issued on January 29, 2025, UPC’s Head of Media and Communications, Faizo Muzeyi, expressed concern over the high dropout rate and its long-term implications on Uganda’s development.
"If such a huge number of our youthful population misses out on education at the primary level, it means we have failed their future and ruined their productive capacities," Muzeyi stated.
UPC highlighted the widening performance gap between private and public schools, as well as rural and urban institutions.
Muzeyi emphasised the need for equal opportunities in education and called for increased funding for the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, which has struggled since its inception in 1997.
He noted that the government’s current funding of Shs 20,000 per pupil is insufficient, leading to poor service delivery, overcrowded classrooms, and an unbalanced teacher-pupil ratio.
The party also raised concerns over poor teacher remuneration and inadequate accommodation, which negatively impact learning outcomes.
UPC criticised the failure to implement the government’s proposal of providing each pupil with a glass of milk and an egg daily, citing hunger as a major barrier to effective learning.
"Many parents and school authorities opposed this plan due to economic constraints, yet we cannot expect children to learn on an empty stomach," Muzeyi said.
UPC also called for stronger protections for girls against early and forced marriages, which contribute to high school dropout rates.
The party further warned about the rise in child labor, which keeps many children out of school and disrupts family structures.
"We are living in a global village where our younger generation is expected to compete internationally. Education must be a long-term investment and a national priority," Muzeyi emphasised.
With the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently announcing a freeze on aid to several countries, including Uganda, UPC urged the government to prioritise education, health, and agriculture in the national budget.
"This comes at a critical time when Uganda is still in the budgeting process, and we call on the government to make the right priorities," Muzeyi stated.
