Archbishop Kaziimba: Government should not dictate fees in our schools

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT |  The Most Reverend Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda has warned the government against dictating on tuition without consulting foundation bodies.

Recently, the Ministry of Education and Sports threatened to close schools should they defy government guidelines and increase school fees. The Ministry listed 12 items that the Cabinet banned, which the schools shouldn’t include in the fee structure.

The items include development fees and fees for the activities of the Board of Governors and Parents Teachers Association among others. While presiding over the annual thanksgiving and farewell ceremony for Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, the Headteacher of Ndejje Secondary School in Luwero district on Sunday, Archbishop Dr Kaziimba Mugalu said the Ministry has no powers to dictate what to charge or not in government-aided schools without consulting the foundation bodies.

Kaziimba explained that some government-aided schools no longer receive funding for infrastructure development and these have been able to develop through charging extra fees.

Kaziimba wondered how the schools would be able to run and develop if they stopped charging such fees. He said that although the church also condemns exorbitant charges in some government-aided schools, there was a need for dialogue with foundation bodies on affordable charges.

Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, the headteacher of Ndejje Secondary School said that the government’s support towards its aided schools is inadequate and there was the need to charge fees for infrastructure development. He asked the Ministry to dialogue with foundation bodies on how they should be managed.

George Mutekanga, the Assistant Commissioner In Charge of Private Schools, acknowledged the foundation bodies’ mission in setting up schools and noted that dialogue was necessary to discuss the issue.

Dr Charles Kahigiriza is set to retire in May this year after serving 35 years in the education sector.

Kahigiriza has served as headteacher for Ndejje Secondary School in the Luwero district, Kijjabwemi Secondary School in Masaka, and Nakyenyi Secondary School in Lwengo district.  He also taught at Masaka Secondary School.

During the farewell ceremony, the old students, teachers, and religious leaders recognized Kahigiriza for leaving an impactful legacy in all the schools he has served. For his part, Archbishop Kaziimba described Kahigiriza as a committed and disciplined servant who has ended his career well.

Kahigiriza has since been appointed as Secretary of Ndejje University upon his retirement.

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URN