Uganda’s fertility rate to affect education
Sep 23, 2010
UGANDA'S high fertility rate, if not checked, could adversely affect primary education and health in the next 30 years, according to an analysis of the demographic trends and its implications on national development.
By Raymond Baguma
UGANDA'S high fertility rate, if not checked, could adversely affect primary education and health in the next 30 years, according to an analysis of the demographic trends and its implications on national development.
An assessment of primary education indicates that at the current fertility rate of 6.7 children per woman, the number of primary school children in Uganda will increase from the current 7.5 million to 18.4 million.
However, in the ideal scenario of Uganda’s fertility rate declining from 6.7 children per woman, to 2.2 children per woman, there will be 10.2 million primary school children.
The analysis also shows that Uganda has about 152,000 primary school teachers. With the current fertility rate, the country will need over 459,000 teachers. However, with the lower fertility rate, the country will need 253,000 teachers.
In 2007, there were about 54 primary pupils per teacher. The Government’s goal is to have a ratio of one primary school teacher per 40 pupils.
Also, the annual expenditure for the education sector is at over sh23b. However, with the current fertility rates, the country will require sh57b in 2037.
The analysis was presented by Grace Ikirimat, a population expert, during a breakfast meeting organised by USAID and the Population Secretariat to discuss Uganda’s population challenges and national development at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala yesterday.
The state minister for planning, Fred Omach, who was chief guest, said that while a high population is good if it is productive and healthy, a young population for Uganda is creating a high dependency burden.
Statistics by the Population Reference Bureau show that Uganda has the youngest population in the world after Niger, with nearly 50% of the population being below 15 years of age.
UGANDA'S high fertility rate, if not checked, could adversely affect primary education and health in the next 30 years, according to an analysis of the demographic trends and its implications on national development.
An assessment of primary education indicates that at the current fertility rate of 6.7 children per woman, the number of primary school children in Uganda will increase from the current 7.5 million to 18.4 million.
However, in the ideal scenario of Uganda’s fertility rate declining from 6.7 children per woman, to 2.2 children per woman, there will be 10.2 million primary school children.
The analysis also shows that Uganda has about 152,000 primary school teachers. With the current fertility rate, the country will need over 459,000 teachers. However, with the lower fertility rate, the country will need 253,000 teachers.
In 2007, there were about 54 primary pupils per teacher. The Government’s goal is to have a ratio of one primary school teacher per 40 pupils.
Also, the annual expenditure for the education sector is at over sh23b. However, with the current fertility rates, the country will require sh57b in 2037.
The analysis was presented by Grace Ikirimat, a population expert, during a breakfast meeting organised by USAID and the Population Secretariat to discuss Uganda’s population challenges and national development at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala yesterday.
The state minister for planning, Fred Omach, who was chief guest, said that while a high population is good if it is productive and healthy, a young population for Uganda is creating a high dependency burden.
Statistics by the Population Reference Bureau show that Uganda has the youngest population in the world after Niger, with nearly 50% of the population being below 15 years of age.