HOIMA, UGANDA: Headteachers of schools in Hoima District have shown their unhappiness to the ministry of education for the removal of the PTA fee which was paid by learners in government schools.
A few weeks ago, the Minister for ICT Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said that in the last meeting of all ministers, they agreed to remove the PTA fee paid by learners in public schools that are under USE and UPE.
Minister Baryomunsi said this will commence in January next year when schools are reopened. However the suggestion was not welcomed by all Headteachers of all public schools in the country.
” The meeting realized that public schools have been asking learners money yet universal education is supposed to be free”. Baryomunsi said.
Headteachers are asking government not to remove the PTA fee until when it is ready to look after public schools well and give enough support.
Harriet Karungi Basemera, the Headteacher of Hoima Public primary school says that now they will be unable to higher special teachers from private schools to help their pupils since that money was meant to pay them.
“Am worried because the removal of PTA fee will disturb the school services since they have been using this money in incidents where government delays to send UPE fees to our school”. Basemera said.
Hellen Kyalisiima the Headteacher of Kiruuma Primary school in Hoima District says that the removal of the PTA fees will disturb the day today activities at the school and reduces the learning capacity of pupils.
“The removal of PTA fees means calling off weekend and night learning programs in schools since there will be no money to pay teachers hired for these programs”. Kyalisiima said.
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