Deputy Speaker Demands Punitive Measures Against Schools Overcharging Fees

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, has criticized both public and private secondary school owners for charging very high school fees.

This criticism came as the new school term started this week, with some schools charging as much as Shs4 million per term.

During a session on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Tayebwa revealed  the importance of addressing this problem urgently. He pointed out that despite previous government directives, some schools continue to ignore them and charge excessive fees.

Tayebwa instructed the Minister of Education and Sports to provide a statement on February 13, 2024, outlining punishments for schools that defy government directives on high fees.

He noted the importance of the issue saying that many people in government wouldn’t be where they are if they faced such high fees during their education.

In August 2023, the Minister of State for Education and Sports, Hon Peter Ogwang, addressed Parliament about the government’s efforts to curb high school fees. The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, expressed concerns about schools raising fees without considering parents’ financial situations.

Minister Ogwang announced that schools can no longer increase fees without written authorization from the Ministry of Education and Sports. He also prohibited schools from adding extra charges beyond the approved fee structure.

Speaker Among asked for more details, particularly regarding how schools are categorized and what recourse parents have if they’re unhappy with fee increases.

Last year, the Ministry of Education proposed setting a maximum fee limit for schools in response to widespread complaints about high fees. However, the implementation of these recommendations faced challenges, primarily due to practical issues.

The ministry invoked its authority under the Education Act to regulate fees within the sector. A new draft proposal introduces regulations and penalties for schools charging fees above the set limit. These penalties could include fines or even imprisonment for school owners found guilty of overcharging.

The proposed fee caps for different levels of education are: pre-primary – Shs 690,000; primary – Shs 570,000 (day) and Shs 1,220,000 (boarding); secondary and vocational institutions – Shs 960,000 (day) and Shs 1,610,000 (boarding). It’s important to note that international schools with much higher fees are not included in these regulations.