This week has been an eventful week for the education ministry. As it struggles to arrest skyrocketing school fees, Sarah Opendi (Tororo District Woman, NRM) has informed Parliament that an unascertained number of schools are planning to open doors early contrary to the school calendar.

“As per the Calendar issued by the Ministry of Education, schools are supposed to open for the third term on the 18^th of September. However, some schools are opening over this weekend. So, I want to know from the Minister of Education whether these school calendars were just issued for formality,” Opendi said during plenary on Thursday.

“Or whether schools are supposed to comply with them. Because that has an effect of stressing parents with school fees. Children have just come back home, hardly two weeks before they are supposed to report back. Children are supposed to rest,” she added.

Opendi was joined by Christine Apolot (Kumi District, NRM) who zeroed in on a school in Eastern Uganda.  

Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among interacts with the Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga during plenary

“As I speak Tororo Girls is on because my daughter is there. So, how much time do they give children to rest as they prepare for the third term? Madam Speaker it is especially private schools which don’t respect programmes of Government,” Apolot cited.

In response, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang beseeched colleagues to make use of their office which is within a stone's throw before going public.  

“We have an office here in Embassy House. It would be prudent that some of this useful information is given to us for action because now Hon. Sarah Opendi I just want you to tell us the names of the schools like my Honorable colleague has mentioned Tororo Girls,” Ogwang said.

Additionally, he pointed out that they have “district education officers across the country. We have district inspectors across the country. The ministry is housed here in Soroti House. We have chief administration officers across the country.”

Lucy Akello Woman Member of Parliament, Amuru District

However, David Kabanda (Kassambya County, NRM) noted that the mere mention of this grave matter raises serious efficacy concerns.

“I am just seeking clarification from the minister. Of all departments you have mentioned that are monitoring, are they really working or they are just there, occupying space?” Kabbanda posed.

Ogwang fired back saying they are not to blame for the failures of individual officers.  

“It is true we have these respective officers who are employed by the Government. It is true Parliament appropriates money for these respective officers to work for and on behalf of the people of Uganda. Failure by an officer to do his work should not be a responsibility to be tagged on the Government,” he responded.

Fast forward, Speaker Among asked Ogwang to lay minutes on the table a circular indicating the official opening date for the third term.