Dokolo to prosecute parents over fees

By Patrick Ogino

DOKOLO district is preparing a decree to prosecute parents who fail to support their children's education needs in the district.

According to the district LC5 chairperson, JB Okello Okello, under the enactment, a one-month penalty will be preferred against a parent whose child is suspended because of fees defaulting and also punish those who do not contribute to school development 

Speaking at a dedication prayer at Dokolo Technical School this week, Okello said LC3 court will have jurisdiction to hear the cases and prosecute the suspects on community service.

Okello said it is misleading for people to say there is free education in Uganda.

“No one must say education is free. Education is very expensive," he stressed.

“We are launching an ordinance to arrest and prosecute stubborn parents who do not  want to pay school fees or support the development of the school."

He added that after finishing the one-month sentence and the child is suspended again, the parent will be re-arrested and taken before Grade One Magistrates court for more punishment.

“If you failed to pay school fees, we shall re-arrest you,” Okello explained to hundreds of parents and students at a function held at the school.

He added that no parent should complain about poverty because it is a child's right to get education.

The school’s headteacher Moses Ogwal commended the district for its support to the school, saying they have constructed two blocks under the Peace Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP).

Ogwal said African Development Bank has allocated sh1.7b for more structures and supply furniture to the school.