MPs want gov't to increase students'' capitation grant

By Abou Kisige & Henry Ssekanjako

MPs on the education committee have urged government to consider reviewing the students' capitation grant to fit the current cost of living.

"The rate is still too low, given the present cost of living. We recommend that the capitation grant be increased to a reasonable rate of sh10, 000," said William Kwemera, the chairperson of the education committee.

 He also called upon government to ensure the release of the grant s to schools and colleges before the commencement of each academic year.

Kwemera made the remarks during a visit of legislators on the education, science, technology and sports committee to over 15 Arab-funded technical institutes under construction in the country.

The funders include OPEC Fund for International Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, Islamic Development Bank and the Arab Bank for Economic development in Africa.

The MPs visited Ogolai technical institute in Amuria district, Basoga Nsadhu Memorial Technical Institute in Namutumba district, National Teachers College Unyama and Nawanyago Technical Institute in Kamuli district.

Others included Namataba Technical Institute in Mukono district, Sasiira Technical Institute in Nakasongola district, Kilak Corner Technical Institute in Pader district, Bukedea Technical Institute in Bukedea district and Uganda Technical College-Elgon in Mbale district.

Over 25 technical institutions in the country are benefitting from the funding earmarked for construction, expansion and rehabilitation to a tune of $80m (about sh280b)

Kwamera said the capitation grant should be administered in such a manner that will ensure all Ugandan children benefit from high quality education.
 

The MPs during their tour of the technical institutions. (Credit: Abou Kisige)

The UPE capitation grant is channeled to schools through local governments and it is meant for the provision of extra instructional or scholastic materials.

It also meets costs for co-curricular activities and school administration activities, among other expenses incurred by the schools.

Government pays sh7, 560 but this has reduced to sh6, 800 as per the 2014/2015 ministerial statement proposed.

However according to Nathan Talwana, the principal of Uganda Technical College-Lira, in 2010, the parliamentary committee recommended sh7,000 per student but that to-date only sh2,300 is given to government-funded sponsored students during full time session and sh1,800 for industrial training daily.

This comes at a time when a number of college and school heads and other stakeholders have been asking government to increase its contribution for government-supported students under the free education for all programme.

Kwemera said parliament is to draft a Skills Development Act to develop the skills of the Ugandan workforce to improve the quality of life of workers and labour mobility.

"The Act will also increase the levels of investment in education and training in the labour market and also encourage employers to use the workplace as an active learning environment to provide employees with the opportunities to acquire new skills.

Dr. Jane Egau Okou, Assistant Commissioner for Instructor and Tutor Education in the Ministry of Education noted that the construction exercise at all the sites is nearing completion with an average completion rate of 90%.

She said the work has been going on for the last one year and by February next year Skilling Ugandans would have kicked off.

The purpose of the visit, she said, was for MPs to inspect and assess the progress of the implementation as well as appreciate challenges facing the project.

Okou urged Ugandans to embrace vocational and technical education.

“We have established these institutions and we expect Ugandans to enroll. Let the institutions be used by all Ugandans. Let them not remain white elephants.”