Nabbanja orders arrest of headteachers charging fees

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has directed authorities in Lyantonde District to arrest headteachers of government schools who send learners home for fees.

This announcement was made during her visit to the district as part of a campaign to alleviate poverty through agriculture and livestock, with a particular emphasis on coffee farming.

During her address, Nabbanja was informed by residents that numerous children in Lyantonde have dropped out of school due to the high fees charged by government schools, which many parents cannot afford.

She expressed her frustration and condemnation towards headteachers who extort money from students and exclude those unable to pay.

"Mr Chairman, there are these committees that arbitrarily increase fees because they have money and assume everyone else does," she said.

"These committee members share this money with the teachers, but we are losing tomorrow's leaders by sending learners home for failing to pay school fees and other requirements."

She said the President instituted Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) to ensure all children can go to school.

"I came from a poor family, and although my story changed, I know we have poor children who can overcome their circumstances and succeed like I did. However, if we continuously send these children home due to school requirements, how will they change their stories?" she asked.

Nabbanja highlighted alarming statistics, revealing that only 37 percent of pupils who start Primary One in public schools in Lyantonde complete primary level.

She attributed this high dropout rate to the inability of parents to pay school requirements.

The premier ordered the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), District Police Commander (DPC), and District Education Officer (DEO) to arrest any headteachers who send students home for failing to pay fees.

"The report shows that out of 100 percent of pupils who start in primary one in government schools, only 37% complete primary level, meaning 63 percent drop out," she said.

"Our investigations revealed that these dropouts are due to the failure to pay school requirements. I am now ordering you, the RDC, DPC, and DEO, to ensure that all government school teachers who chase children home for failing to pay school requirements are arrested," Nabbanja added.

However, Lyantonde District Chairperson Fred Muhanji defended the teachers, arguing that they are not solely to blame for the situation.

He explained that the poor conditions of government schools force parents to contribute additional funds to support teachers to get accommodation and provide food for their children.

"Teachers do not have adequate housing, so parents decide to pay a little money to help, and some contribute for food and porridge for their children," he said.

"If the government wants this to stop, they should ensure that teachers have houses and increase the funds allocated to government schools, as the current funding is insufficient."

Its said that last year Lyantonde was one of the worst performing districts in the country with 19.2 percent.