Study reveals ghost schools

Nov 02, 2006

GHOST schools, teachers and pupils have been cited under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, in western and eastern Uganda.

By Carol Natukunda
GHOST schools, teachers and pupils have been cited under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, in western and eastern Uganda.
A 2006 study conducted by consultant Julius Kiiza on behalf of the Anti-corruption Coalition Uganda, shows that ‘ghosts’ are being used to obtain UPE funds, including capitation grants and salaries.
The report titled, “The Nature and Extent of Corruption in UPE,” was conducted in five districts of Apac, Hoima, Bundibugyo, Soroti and Mukono.
Bwirire Primary School in Teso was found to have “ghost infrastructure, ghost teachers and ghost pupils’ and yet it continues to drain tax-payers’ money.”
It said the headteacher of Abapiri Primary School in Chawente sub-county, Apac district, also inflated the number of pupils to obtain UPE funds during the second term this year.
“The actual number of pupils is 277 but he was giving over 900 pupils,” the report said.
The findings show that although Bundibugyo and Lamica primary schools have been formalised, they received UPE funds between 1998 and 2003 as ‘ghost’ schools, to finance “ghost infrastructure, pay ghost teachers and teach ghost pupils.”
The findings show that the admission book in Itojo Primary School in Bundibugyo had 503 pupils, while the daily attendance lists show 250 pupils.
In Kyabandara Primary School in the same area, the admission book had 400 pupils but daily attendance was 250 pupils on average. At Kasozi primary school, Karugutu parish, staff lists indicated seven teachers but the school had only three.
Presenting the findings to MPs and civil society officials at Hotel Africana yesterday, Kiiza said ghost schools surviving on UPE resources confirmed allegations that corruption was pervasive and institutionalised.
He blamed public servants for lacking the will to address the problem.
“People seem to think that it has become normal practice. Even when a headteacher is caught, he is instead transferred. We want prosecution, not just sacking or transfers,” he said.
Kiiza, a political science lecturer at Makerere University, said, “A culture of zero-defects and zero tolerance should be cultivated. Any CAO, DEO, district inspector, finance officer, headteacher or school management committee member found perpetuating ghosts should be dismissed,” he said.
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