In a plenary session held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa tasked the State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, to present a detailed statement addressing the delayed release of capitation grants to schools.
This is after Legislators expressed concern over the continued late disbursement of these funds, which they noted often arrive after schools have closed, hindering effective learning.
Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West County) criticized the Ministry of Finance for not adhering to Parliament’s directive that capitation grants be released 15 days before the start of a new school term.
According to Ssewungu, government pays Shs3,000 per child per term, but the delays in funding have crippled school operations, leaving teachers unable to purchase basic teaching materials such as chalk and pens.
“If you send money after two months of the term have passed, teachers cannot perform their duties effectively,” Ssewungu remarked.
He emphasized that the delays particularly harm students in candidate classes, as schools are unable to adequately prepare for the term.
“Parents are sending children to school only to have them engage in menial tasks like slashing grass, instead of focusing on learning,” he added.
In response, the State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, acknowledged the issue and pledged to return to Parliament with accurate figures on the capitation grants that have been budgeted and released thus far.
He also committed to providing details of the funds to be released in the next quarter. Musasizi refuted claims that the government was neglecting the issue.
“It is not as though government is doing nothing, but I will return with facts on Wednesday. “he clarified
In a separate matter, Workers’ Representative, Hon. Margaret Rwabushaija, raised concerns about the non-payment of part-time teaching staff at Kyambogo University.
She highlighted a Shs5.6 billion deficit in salary arrears, specifically citing that lecturers in the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering have gone without pay for up to 16 months.
Rwabushaija called for an investigation into the matter, noting that part-time lecturers had previously threatened to strike by withholding examinations due to unpaid wages, underscoring the urgency of addressing the issue.
Both issues highlight the financial challenges affecting Uganda’s education sector, from primary schools to higher institutions of learning, with calls for swift government intervention.
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