Districts to be probed over SFG funds

By Joyce NamutebiTHE state minister for primary education, Namirembe Bitamazire, has warned that districts which have not speeded up construction of classrooms will be probed.Bitamazire yesterday said such districts were disorganising the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme.She said classroom construction under the School Facilities Grant (SFG), was a critical area in UPE. She said districts that had not completed their work plan according to their quota were stagnating the SFG programme and would be called to answer.“They (districts) will be scrutinised to find out who is responsible and will be asked to answer why they can’t meet the target,” Bitamazire told The New Vision.She said the Government and donors had mobilised funds to construct over 15,000 classrooms in three years. The programme started 1998, she said.“I’m disappointed that the programme is not moving at the expected speed,” Bitamazire said adding that the quality of work in some districts needed improvement.She noted that the tendering process was not properly managed. She said there had been some improvement after the ministry employed engineering assistants last July to reinforce the district engineering department.