187 more schools join USE scheme
Jan 09, 2010
THE Government has approved 189 more private schools to implement the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme countrywide.
By Francis Kagolo
THE Government has approved 189 more private schools to implement the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme countrywide.
The education ministry yesterday announced the schools selected out of the 270 that had applied for the scheme during an exercise conducted at the end of last year.
Masaka district had the highest number of schools (22) taken up, 11 were from Kannungu and Kasese districts, while four were from Arua.
This brings the total number of schools offering the free secondary education programme in the country to 1,442. Out of these, 739 are privately-owned.
Francis Uma-Agula, the assistant commissioner for secondary education, said heads of the 189 schools would sign a memorandum of understanding with the ministry on January 18, at Kololo SS in Kampala.
However, only those which can produce the original licenses and registration certificates of their schools will be allowed to sign the agreement.
According to Agula, the move will increase USE enrollment this year.
“Each of the 189 schools will have a class of 120 students, divided into two streams. This means 22,680 students will be admitted in the 189 schools,†he said.
Government launched the Universal Post-Primary Education and Training programme in 2007 to enable eligible primary school graduates enroll in tuition-free secondary and vocational training institutions.
The programme increased Senior One enrollment by 33% between 2006 and 2007. Last year it was rolled-out to cover Senior Four, completing the cycle for lower secondary education.
Only students who score between four and 28 aggregates in the Primary leaving Examinations are eligible for the bursaries.
The ministry pays private schools sh47, 000 per student per term.
Government-aided schools, on the other hand, receive sh41,000 per student, according to Agula.
However, there are still challenges of inadequate classroom space, shortage of qualified teachers and instructional materials.
Head teachers have also complained of delays in delivery of funds and that the money is little compared to the ever increasing costs.
When asked about it, Agula also appreciated the concern and said the ministry would increase support to the schools as its 2010/2011 budget allocation will allow.
THE Government has approved 189 more private schools to implement the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme countrywide.
The education ministry yesterday announced the schools selected out of the 270 that had applied for the scheme during an exercise conducted at the end of last year.
Masaka district had the highest number of schools (22) taken up, 11 were from Kannungu and Kasese districts, while four were from Arua.
This brings the total number of schools offering the free secondary education programme in the country to 1,442. Out of these, 739 are privately-owned.
Francis Uma-Agula, the assistant commissioner for secondary education, said heads of the 189 schools would sign a memorandum of understanding with the ministry on January 18, at Kololo SS in Kampala.
However, only those which can produce the original licenses and registration certificates of their schools will be allowed to sign the agreement.
According to Agula, the move will increase USE enrollment this year.
“Each of the 189 schools will have a class of 120 students, divided into two streams. This means 22,680 students will be admitted in the 189 schools,†he said.
Government launched the Universal Post-Primary Education and Training programme in 2007 to enable eligible primary school graduates enroll in tuition-free secondary and vocational training institutions.
The programme increased Senior One enrollment by 33% between 2006 and 2007. Last year it was rolled-out to cover Senior Four, completing the cycle for lower secondary education.
Only students who score between four and 28 aggregates in the Primary leaving Examinations are eligible for the bursaries.
The ministry pays private schools sh47, 000 per student per term.
Government-aided schools, on the other hand, receive sh41,000 per student, according to Agula.
However, there are still challenges of inadequate classroom space, shortage of qualified teachers and instructional materials.
Head teachers have also complained of delays in delivery of funds and that the money is little compared to the ever increasing costs.
When asked about it, Agula also appreciated the concern and said the ministry would increase support to the schools as its 2010/2011 budget allocation will allow.