Parliament demands answers over students denied exams

Lawmakers across the political divide have asked the ministry of education to reprimand private school owners who have barred students with fees balance from sitting their final exams.

During Wednesday's plenary session, Gulu Municipality MP, Lyandro Komakech described the actions of some school administrators as "a fundamental breach of the right to education."

"The actions of some school administrators should not go unpunished. You cannot bar students from sitting exams because of school fees balance. It's just inhumane," Komakech said.

Although the state minister for sports, Charles Bakabulindi promised to inquire into the complaints, he was explicit that paying fees is the responsibility of parents.

However, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga reminded Bakabulindi of a government policy sanctioned a few years ago obliging schools to let school fees defaulting students sit exams and clear the balance later.

Although Kadaga did not permit a full debate on the issue, the reaction of lawmakers was indicative of the fact that the impugned practice was widespread in many parts of the country.

Parliament's intervention follows reports on Monday where school administrators of Top Care secondary school in Iganga Municipality barred fifteen senior six students from sitting exams over fees balance.

Ministry of education later intervened with the assistant commissioner in charge of private schools, George Mutekanga promising to crack the whip on school administrators.

A number of well-wishers have since chipped in by contributing funds meant to clear the sh3.6m the affected students owed the school.