Govt yet to put ceiling on school fees hikes

First Lady and Minster for Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, addresses the media at State Lodge, Nakasero on Monday. Photo by Maria Wamala

First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, has clarified that Government is yet put a ceiling on the exorbitant fees structure policy in private and top government-aided schools.

The minister said officials are still gathering information on what drives changes in the school charges in the country.

"We have not followed up because we decided that it would be premature to give a ceiling. We thought that we should go out, find information about what is informing the schools to increase fees so that we know," she said Monday during a press conference at State Lodge, Nakasero.

"We have constituted a committee that is going to find out whether there are real challenges that are facing these schools or they just want to make money," the First Lady added.

Some secondary schools in the country charge as high as sh2m in fees per term, a move that has been heavily criticised by parents.

In February, the First Lady issued a directive on unauthorised school charges, clearly stipulating guidelines for a special committee that she constituted to investigate the matter.

Guidelines issued by the minister

• An independent committee will soon be appointed to critically analyze the school charges and guide the Ministry on appropriate action to be taken.

• As the committee carries out an in-depth study to guide on school charges, the Ministry will be utilizing the information received from schools to regulate school fees.

• The Ministry officials in the departments of Government secondary schools, private schools and institutions and the Directorate of Education Standards have been asked to ensure compliance to the guidelines.

• No school budget will be approved if it contains unauthorized school fees increments.