Schools slap new charges
May 26, 2008
As the second term started yesterday, parents struggled to meet the hiked school fees as a result of increased food prices.
By Steven Candia and Raymond Baguma
As the second term started yesterday, parents struggled to meet the hiked school fees as a result of increased food prices.
Some were only informed of the new fees upon arrival at the school. At Seroma Christian High School in Mukono, the parents were notified that the fees had been revised from sh450,000 to sh500,000.
Namilyango College also saw a sh50,000 increment. In the circular, the school administration said they did not communicate earlier because the ministry of education took long to approve the increase.
At Hormisdallen Primary School in Bukoto, besides the raised school fees, parents were also asked to provide six kilos of rice and sugar for each boarding pupil, while day scholars were required to bring three kilos of each item. Those who failed to provide the food were asked to pay sh25,000.
Schools that had not yet hiked the fees said they were considering doing so.
“There may be a need to call an emergency meeting. We will not get through the term without the parents’ aid,†said Francis Matsiko, the head teacher of St. Henry’s College Kitovu.
The headmistress of Gayaza High School, Victoria Kisarale, said a fees increase was inevitable, arguing that the price of beans had shot up from sh850 to sh1,400 a kilo, while posho went from sh800 to sh1,100 a kilo.
Other schools said they would need to review their budget priorities.
“As a way out, we may have to reduce on capital work and spend more on recurrent items such as feeding,†said the headmistress of Trinity College Nabbingo, Nakate Kikomeko.
Several schools at the end of last term announced an increase in school fees prompted by the rising food prices, attributed to the post-election violence in Kenya, increased demand from South Sudan and high oil prices.
St. Mary’s College Kisubi raised its fees by sh18,000, with students now required to pay sh608,000. Mvara SS also lifted its tariffs by sh18,000.
St. Agnes Naggalama increased by sh20,000, Dr. Obote College by sh20,000, Muntuyera High School by sh10,000, Kibibi SS by sh26,000 and Katikamu SDA by sh30,000.
As the second term started yesterday, parents struggled to meet the hiked school fees as a result of increased food prices.
Some were only informed of the new fees upon arrival at the school. At Seroma Christian High School in Mukono, the parents were notified that the fees had been revised from sh450,000 to sh500,000.
Namilyango College also saw a sh50,000 increment. In the circular, the school administration said they did not communicate earlier because the ministry of education took long to approve the increase.
At Hormisdallen Primary School in Bukoto, besides the raised school fees, parents were also asked to provide six kilos of rice and sugar for each boarding pupil, while day scholars were required to bring three kilos of each item. Those who failed to provide the food were asked to pay sh25,000.
Schools that had not yet hiked the fees said they were considering doing so.
“There may be a need to call an emergency meeting. We will not get through the term without the parents’ aid,†said Francis Matsiko, the head teacher of St. Henry’s College Kitovu.
The headmistress of Gayaza High School, Victoria Kisarale, said a fees increase was inevitable, arguing that the price of beans had shot up from sh850 to sh1,400 a kilo, while posho went from sh800 to sh1,100 a kilo.
Other schools said they would need to review their budget priorities.
“As a way out, we may have to reduce on capital work and spend more on recurrent items such as feeding,†said the headmistress of Trinity College Nabbingo, Nakate Kikomeko.
Several schools at the end of last term announced an increase in school fees prompted by the rising food prices, attributed to the post-election violence in Kenya, increased demand from South Sudan and high oil prices.
St. Mary’s College Kisubi raised its fees by sh18,000, with students now required to pay sh608,000. Mvara SS also lifted its tariffs by sh18,000.
St. Agnes Naggalama increased by sh20,000, Dr. Obote College by sh20,000, Muntuyera High School by sh10,000, Kibibi SS by sh26,000 and Katikamu SDA by sh30,000.