Education
Agago seeks exemption to allow PTA charges in public schools
The head teacher further said government capitation grants were often delayed or insufficient to meet schools’ daily operating costs. Schools had historically relied on PTA contributions to pay for basic utilities, maintenance, security and instructional materials.
Mawa explained in the letter that parents had resolved at a meeting to support the government by making additional contributions for every child enrolled in UPE and USE schools in the district. (New Vision/Files)
By: Jackson Kitara, Journalist @New Vision
AGAGO - Agago district authorities have asked the Ministry of Education and Sports to allow parents pay Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) charges in public schools implementing Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE).
In a letter to the ministry, the district requested approval for the proposed additional contributions to help bridge existing gaps in UPE and USE schools.
The letter, dated October 19, 2026, was written by Agago chief administrative officer Geoffrey Mawa. It was copied to the ministry’s permanent secretary, the commissioners for secondary schools and basic education, the Agago resident district commissioner, the district education officer and the district chairperson.
Mawa explained in the letter that parents had resolved at a meeting to support the government by making additional contributions for every child enrolled in UPE and USE schools in the district.
The request follows a directive by local government minister Balaam Barugahara, who stopped parents from paying PTA charges in UPE and USE public schools, saying the government covers all expenses for each child.
However, Agago district chairperson Wilson Otto said parents were still paying PTA charges in public schools and that the letter was intended to formalise the arrangement.
Mawa explained in the letter that parents had resolved at a meeting to support the government by making additional contributions for every child enrolled in UPE and USE schools in the district.
The request follows a directive by local government minister Balaam Barugahara, who stopped parents from paying PTA charges in UPE and USE public schools, saying the government covers all expenses for each child.
However, Agago district chairperson Wilson Otto said parents were still paying PTA charges in public schools and that the letter was intended to formalise the arrangement.
“In my district, we have resolved that we are not going to stop parents from paying PTA, and they are paying, but because of drought and poverty level, the payment is slow. The letter written to the minister and education ministry permanent secretary is simply what is specified in the Education Act, 2008, but in operation, we are collecting PTA charges as supported by the Education Act,” Otto remarked.
A head teacher, who asked not to be named, also supported parents contributing towards school costs, saying public schools relied heavily on PTA contributions to hire additional teachers to address staffing shortages.
The head teacher said that without PTA funds, schools were forced to lay off privately hired teachers, leaving individual teachers to manage large classes.
The head teacher further said government capitation grants were often delayed or insufficient to meet schools’ daily operating costs. Schools had historically relied on PTA contributions to pay for basic utilities, maintenance, security and instructional materials.
A head teacher, who asked not to be named, also supported parents contributing towards school costs, saying public schools relied heavily on PTA contributions to hire additional teachers to address staffing shortages.
The head teacher said that without PTA funds, schools were forced to lay off privately hired teachers, leaving individual teachers to manage large classes.
The head teacher further said government capitation grants were often delayed or insufficient to meet schools’ daily operating costs. Schools had historically relied on PTA contributions to pay for basic utilities, maintenance, security and instructional materials.