By Conan Businge

THE Government has slashed funds for Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools by about sh75b this financial year – a 25% cut.

The Government had been sending sh300b to all UPE schools in previous years. It cut the funds after realising that a number of head teachers kept ‘ghost’ students in their records.

The fraud was discovered during this year’s rapid head count exercise and findings of the inspection initiative report.

The figures showed a difference of 25% between enrolment and attendance.

A few weeks ago, the ministry communicated to all chief administrative officers that the funds had been cut.

The funds are distributed based on average enrolment estimates of UPE schools. However, schools which can prove that they have more pupils than what is allocated to them will be given more funds.

Releases of UPE capitation grants for primary schools are done by the Ministry of Finance at the advice of the education ministry.

Until the financial year 2005/06, the allocation of UPE grants was determined by pupil enrolment data.

This was later switched to attendance data collected from registers, signed by the district education officers and head teachers. Not all enrolled pupils were attending classes, and head teachers used this loophole to swindle Government funds.

The Director of Education, Yusuf Nsubuga, yesterday said the move was necessary to eliminate misappropriation of public funds.

The primary sector takes 60% of the education ministry’s budget because it has the highest enrolment of all education levels in Uganda.