LoP Ssenyonyi calls for increased capital grants for gov’t schools
The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi has called on the finance ministry to improve on the capitation grant for government-aided primary schools.
Currently, the capitation grant for government-aided primary schools stands at Shs20,000 per pupil per annum.
Keep Reading
The capitation grant to Universal Primary Schools (UPE) is supposed to be used to procure instructional materials such as chalk and stationery that are not supplied by the government.
Speaking during Tuesday's plenary, the LoP said the Shs20,000 capitation grant is insufficient.
“And we expect good standards from these schools, to operate and compete at the international level, it is not possible, I hope we can review it,” said Ssenyonyi.
He added that securing a good future for learners is done through quality education.
To make matters worse, Ssenyonyi said that even the insufficient capitation grant is not released promptly.
Ssenyonyi who referred to the recent start of the new school term, said that several schools have failed to open because of unavailability of funds.
“I do not know why we delay sending this money and yet we know when the schools will open,” Ssenyonyi said.
The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, said that the delay in the release of the capitation grant to schools is occasioned by delays at the Local Government level.
“When we release the capitation grant to districts, we expect local governments to warrant and sometimes districts take their time. Some schools have already received funds, others are still in the process of warranting,” he said.
He added that the government already released Shs134 billion in the third quarter for a capitation grant.
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa guided the minister to make a statement on the matter on February 13, 2024, with emphasis on the performance of learners with disabilities.
