Irish Government Praises UPE Policy
Mar 14, 2004
UGANDA got a pat on the back when the Irish government described its Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme as the most successful in Africa.
UGANDA got a pat on the back when the Irish government described its Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme as the most successful in Africa.
Ambassador Martin O’Fainin, while inspecting primary schools funded by the Irish government in Kasese, praised the Ugandan brand of UPE. He said the Irish government had appropriated over sh6b to support education in Uganda. This was followed by the announcement that roll calls would be re-introduced in UPE schools. Namirembe Bitamazire, state minister for primary education said the move would help in combating ghost pupils as well as monitoring daily attendance. She added that it would also help to check teachers’ time management. At least 30 children in Rukoki sub-county in Kasese felt the brunt of local byelaws when they were arrested for playing cards during class hours. Local leaders and the Police carried out the operation.
In Mbarara, a UPE report indicated that at least 70% of children who were registered under the programme in 1997 had dropped out of school by the end of last year. Emmanuel Turyamureeba, the district education secretary, said this during a head teachers’ workshop at Mary Hill High School recently.
But the good news in Mbarara was that teachers in the district stand to benefit under a loan scheme from Stanbic bank. The sh2.2b scheme, which was initiated by the district, is being sponsored by the Ministry of Education and USAID.
Under the scheme, each teacher would access up to sh3m.
In Rakai, textbooks worth over sh100m were reportedly stolen from Mitondo and Lusaka sub counties.
Ends
Ambassador Martin O’Fainin, while inspecting primary schools funded by the Irish government in Kasese, praised the Ugandan brand of UPE. He said the Irish government had appropriated over sh6b to support education in Uganda. This was followed by the announcement that roll calls would be re-introduced in UPE schools. Namirembe Bitamazire, state minister for primary education said the move would help in combating ghost pupils as well as monitoring daily attendance. She added that it would also help to check teachers’ time management. At least 30 children in Rukoki sub-county in Kasese felt the brunt of local byelaws when they were arrested for playing cards during class hours. Local leaders and the Police carried out the operation.
In Mbarara, a UPE report indicated that at least 70% of children who were registered under the programme in 1997 had dropped out of school by the end of last year. Emmanuel Turyamureeba, the district education secretary, said this during a head teachers’ workshop at Mary Hill High School recently.
But the good news in Mbarara was that teachers in the district stand to benefit under a loan scheme from Stanbic bank. The sh2.2b scheme, which was initiated by the district, is being sponsored by the Ministry of Education and USAID.
Under the scheme, each teacher would access up to sh3m.
In Rakai, textbooks worth over sh100m were reportedly stolen from Mitondo and Lusaka sub counties.
Ends