Govt to borrow sh300b for schools
Jul 02, 2009
PARLIAMENT has authorised the Government to borrow $150m (over sh300b) from the International Development Bank.
By Milton Olupot,
Cyprian Musoke
and Umaru Kashaka
PARLIAMENT has authorised the Government to borrow $150m (over sh300b) from the International Development Bank.
The funds will be used for the construction of 6,161 classrooms in selected senior secondary schools.
The national economy committee on Wednesday presented a report approving the borrowing.
Although some MPs raised concern over lack of accountability for previous loans, the report was unanimously approved.
The Government introduced Universal Secondary Education in 2007 and currently covers Senior One up to Senior Three.
The increased enrolment of students into the programme has resulted in a shortage of classrooms.
The committee noted that over 72% of government schools are congested, with each classroom having over the 60 students recommended class size.
Presenting the report to the House, chaired by Speaker Edward Ssekandi, the committee vice-chairperson, Wangwa Rutangye, implored MPs to support the project, saying urgent intervention was needed in the sector.
The committee observed that the project is meant to cover at least one school per sub-county.
It said some schools not included in the project would benefit from another under the African Development Bank planned for next year.
Committee members were, however, concerned that recruitment of teachers was not provided for in the project yet it is important that decongestion goes hand-in-hand with provision of more teachers.
Aruu county MP Odonga Otto (FDC) asked for clarification on the schools and districts to benefit.
Cyprian Musoke
and Umaru Kashaka
PARLIAMENT has authorised the Government to borrow $150m (over sh300b) from the International Development Bank.
The funds will be used for the construction of 6,161 classrooms in selected senior secondary schools.
The national economy committee on Wednesday presented a report approving the borrowing.
Although some MPs raised concern over lack of accountability for previous loans, the report was unanimously approved.
The Government introduced Universal Secondary Education in 2007 and currently covers Senior One up to Senior Three.
The increased enrolment of students into the programme has resulted in a shortage of classrooms.
The committee noted that over 72% of government schools are congested, with each classroom having over the 60 students recommended class size.
Presenting the report to the House, chaired by Speaker Edward Ssekandi, the committee vice-chairperson, Wangwa Rutangye, implored MPs to support the project, saying urgent intervention was needed in the sector.
The committee observed that the project is meant to cover at least one school per sub-county.
It said some schools not included in the project would benefit from another under the African Development Bank planned for next year.
Committee members were, however, concerned that recruitment of teachers was not provided for in the project yet it is important that decongestion goes hand-in-hand with provision of more teachers.
Aruu county MP Odonga Otto (FDC) asked for clarification on the schools and districts to benefit.