Too many sub-counties, parishes in Busoga have no public school: report

Latest research conducted by the National Planning Authority (NPA) on state of education in Busoga sub-region indicates that of the 118 sub-counties 40 do not have public secondary school and out of 578 parishes, 34 have no public primary school.

This was revealed by the manager for policy research and innovation at NPA, Mr Hamis Mugendawala, during a meeting between the Kyabazinga of Busoga William Nadiope and secondary school head teachers under their umbrella, Association of Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU) at Igenge Palace in Jinja City.

The survey also found out that many government schools both primary and secondary have no latrines and those which have are in a deplorable state.

This undermines government's policy on having at least a primary school in every parish and at least a government secondary school in each sub-county.

The government has been focused on improving access to primary education as part of its broader educational policies.

One of the key initiatives is the implementation of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy, which aims to provide free primary education to all children.

The policy to have a primary school in every parish is part of this broader effort to enhance access to education.

This initiative is designed to ensure that all children, regardless of their geographical location, have access to primary education facilities close to their homes.

By establishing a primary school in every parish, the government aims to reduce the distance children have to travel to attend school, thereby increasing enrollment and attendance rates.

Key aspects of this policy include infrastructure development, building new schools and improving existing facilities to accommodate the increasing number of learners.

This initiative is part of Uganda's Vision 2040 and other national development plans aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to complete primary education.

The Chairperson of ASSHU, Mr Paul Isabirye Mwogeza, asked the Kyabazinga to join them in their quest to influence government incorporate cultural studies in the new curriculum.

"This is intended to instill cultural values and norms among the learners, some children who are uncultured are learning bad habits like smoking grey hair, other forms of indiscipline,"  Mwogeza said.

The Kyabazinga applauded the educationalists for the great role they play in nurturing the young generation.

He also pledged his total supports towards development related matters.