USE schools shouldn’t teach more than 14 subjects
Feb 05, 2008
SCHOOLS implementing the Universal secondary education (USE) scheme have been warned against teaching S.1 entrants more than 14 subjects.
By Joel Ogwang
SCHOOLS implementing the Universal secondary education (USE) scheme have been warned against teaching S.1 entrants more than 14 subjects.
John Mbabazi, the director of education, said this presents a workload on the students and teachers. He was closing the National Association of Secondary Schools Head teachers of Uganda (NASSHU) annual general meeting at Hotel Africana recently.
He said the education ministry would review the curriculum to tackle the high teacher-student ratio.
Mbabazi said students from private schools would not be allowed to join the USE programme in S.2. “We always plan and make budgets for all students under USE. We do not want to stretch our budget by enrolling private students,†he added.
In 2007, the government released sh7.3b to start the USE scheme. Each of the 700 government-aided and 280 private USE schools receive sh7m monthly.
To increase enrolment and the absorption of UPE students in S.1, the Government plans to introduce a double-shift system in its secondary schools. “We (the education ministry) are still reviewing the double-shift system with a team from the World Bank,†he said.
Teachers argued that 28 aggregate, the new cut-off point for joining USE schools, would cripple enrollment in rural schools.
Like the UPE scheme, they said most of their students study on empty stomachs.
“Teachers are asking the government to allow schools to use their advances to avail students lunch,†revealed a statement.
Nsumba Lyazi, the assistant commissioner in-charge of comprehensive secondary education, said providing lunch is a responsibility of parents.
“The policy on UPE and USE is clear. On lunch, parents have to feed their children. Headteachers only have to mobilise the parents,†he said.
SCHOOLS implementing the Universal secondary education (USE) scheme have been warned against teaching S.1 entrants more than 14 subjects.
John Mbabazi, the director of education, said this presents a workload on the students and teachers. He was closing the National Association of Secondary Schools Head teachers of Uganda (NASSHU) annual general meeting at Hotel Africana recently.
He said the education ministry would review the curriculum to tackle the high teacher-student ratio.
Mbabazi said students from private schools would not be allowed to join the USE programme in S.2. “We always plan and make budgets for all students under USE. We do not want to stretch our budget by enrolling private students,†he added.
In 2007, the government released sh7.3b to start the USE scheme. Each of the 700 government-aided and 280 private USE schools receive sh7m monthly.
To increase enrolment and the absorption of UPE students in S.1, the Government plans to introduce a double-shift system in its secondary schools. “We (the education ministry) are still reviewing the double-shift system with a team from the World Bank,†he said.
Teachers argued that 28 aggregate, the new cut-off point for joining USE schools, would cripple enrollment in rural schools.
Like the UPE scheme, they said most of their students study on empty stomachs.
“Teachers are asking the government to allow schools to use their advances to avail students lunch,†revealed a statement.
Nsumba Lyazi, the assistant commissioner in-charge of comprehensive secondary education, said providing lunch is a responsibility of parents.
“The policy on UPE and USE is clear. On lunch, parents have to feed their children. Headteachers only have to mobilise the parents,†he said.