85% of education budget goes to UPE, USE
Mar 29, 2008
85% of Uganda’s education budget goes to primary and secondary levels, leaving only 15% for tertiary and university.
By Peter Kaujju
85% of Uganda’s education budget goes to primary and secondary levels, leaving only 15% for tertiary and university.
Dr Fred Muhumuza, an advisor to the Finance Minister and a panelist during the second interactive debate organised by the Uganda Revenue Authority at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, called for a shift to increase funding for higher education.
“64.4% of the education funds go to UPE while 20.4% go to USE. We expect and need to see a revision of these figures. Overconcentration of the budget on the lower levels of education is not good for the economy,†he revealed. “Technical skills which are the drivers of the economy are built at higher institutions of learning,†he added.
But Amanya Mushega, former education minister, said the foundation (primary) plays a critical role in education, arguing that more funding should be channeled across the board.
The debate brought together participants from academia, private sector, civil society and Government. David Pulkol said the survival rate of UPE from Primary One to Seven was only 48% yet a total of $600m is pumped in annually.
Referring to the forum as the tax payer’s parliament, Allen Kagina, URA’s Commissioner General, said the theme was timely since the implementation of UPE and USE was in progress.
Gulu LC5 chairman, Nobert Mao chaired the session.
85% of Uganda’s education budget goes to primary and secondary levels, leaving only 15% for tertiary and university.
Dr Fred Muhumuza, an advisor to the Finance Minister and a panelist during the second interactive debate organised by the Uganda Revenue Authority at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, called for a shift to increase funding for higher education.
“64.4% of the education funds go to UPE while 20.4% go to USE. We expect and need to see a revision of these figures. Overconcentration of the budget on the lower levels of education is not good for the economy,†he revealed. “Technical skills which are the drivers of the economy are built at higher institutions of learning,†he added.
But Amanya Mushega, former education minister, said the foundation (primary) plays a critical role in education, arguing that more funding should be channeled across the board.
The debate brought together participants from academia, private sector, civil society and Government. David Pulkol said the survival rate of UPE from Primary One to Seven was only 48% yet a total of $600m is pumped in annually.
Referring to the forum as the tax payer’s parliament, Allen Kagina, URA’s Commissioner General, said the theme was timely since the implementation of UPE and USE was in progress.
Gulu LC5 chairman, Nobert Mao chaired the session.