Government to re-admit school dropouts

By Jeff Lule

School dropouts will have a chance to continue with their education if a new proposal takes shape next year.

Higher education minister Dr. Chrysostom Muyingo has said the Government has already instituted a special committee to carryout studies to see how best they can re-integrate the dropouts, especially girls.

“We are deeply concerned about the high dropout rates, especially of the girl child. We want those who dropped out due to lack of fees, pregnancies and other challenges, to get back to school,” he said.

Muyingo said the Government has realised that most school dropouts are orphans who cannot raise fees, so it is its duty to educate them.

He said studies by the committee will help the Government come up with a streamlined policy that will enable all dropouts continue with their studies. The move is intended to be effected next year.

Recent reports estimate that of the total number of pupils who enrol in P1, only 30% complete P7, placing Uganda’s school drop-out rates at one of the worst in the region.

Commenting on Skilling Uganda, a project that aims at fostering technical skills among Uganda’s graduates to meet the needs of the job market, Muyingo said the Government is coming up with an efficient public-private partnership with several vocational and technical institutions to promote it countrywide. The project, which was launched in October 2012, is expected to cost about sh2 trillion over the next 10 years.

“Institutions should start applying for the money. We want formal and informal training. We want people to get skills relevant to the labour market so we can fight unemployment,” he noted.

Muyingo made the remarks while speaking at the 7th graduation ceremony of Mirembe Community College in Busika, Luwero district on Thursday.

About 82 students were awarded diplomas and certificates in computer training and engineering, hair dressing, counselling and guidance, and catering, among others.