The school administration argued that the extra amount was necessary to boost the school’s performance and support ongoing development projects.
Katakwi, Uganda: Tension brewed at Priscilla Comprehensive Girls Secondary School on Saturday, November 15, 2025, after parents overwhelmingly rejected a proposal by the school administration to introduce an additional UGX 20,000 on top of the existing UGX 345,000 school fees.
The proposal was tabled by Head Teacher Teddy Adeko during the school’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Atirir Village in Katakwi Sub-county. Adeko argued that the extra amount was necessary to boost the school’s performance and support ongoing development projects.
She explained that the school receives UGX 139,473,332 in government UCE funds and UGX 758,450,000 in PTA contributions across three terms, totalling UGX 897,923,332 annually. Despite this, Adeko said the school is struggling to meet operational demands, citing administration costs, salaries, staff incentives, house rent, meals, health and sanitation, dormitory expenses, repairs, maintenance, co-curricular activities, transport, utilities, agriculture, and capital development.
Adeko also noted that the school posted its first “result one” last year — a significant improvement compared to the previous three years — and insisted the additional fees would help sustain the progress, including completing the girls’ and boys’ dormitories.
However, she expressed frustration with parents who have not cleared outstanding balances, leaving the school with debts amounting to UGX 25,871,000, owed to food suppliers (UGX 12,385,000), water bills (UGX 1,506,000) and staff salaries and incentives (UGX 11,980,000). Student fee arrears from S1 to S4 currently stand at UGX 36,704,000, complicating the school’s planning and budgeting.
Parents Reject Fees Increase
Parents dismissed the proposal, arguing that the additional fee was unaffordable given the economic hardships families face. Simon Imalingat and Levi Igerat urged their fellow parents to prioritise clearing existing fees instead of burdening others with extra charges.
They warned that continued delays in fee payment were crippling the day-to-day running of the institution.
“Let’s clear our balances so the school can function properly and address its challenges,” they urged.
Mixed Reactions Among Leaders
Local leaders expressed divergent views. Atirir Village LCI Chairperson Robert Okwaput supported the fee top-up, saying improved infrastructure would benefit all learners. He suggested allowing parents to pay the UGX 20,000 in installments.
Katakwi Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Hon. Elvis Samuel Ojula applauded parents for remaining committed to education and cautioned students to avoid negative influences during the holidays.
District LCV Chairperson Hon. Geoffrey Omolo appealed to parents to fulfill their responsibilities by paying fees on time and ensuring children’s safety as they head into the long break.
Ngariam County aspirant Augustine Otuko praised the school’s management for its progress, saying strong leadership had made Priscilla Comprehensive one of the most promising young schools in the district. He encouraged the students to remain disciplined, and the broader community to invest in education.
District Inspector of Schools John Bosco Okiror, who served as guest of honour, also commended the school for its development trajectory. He advised learners to balance academics with personal discipline, develop time-management habits, and remain vigilant about their safety.
“Safety is crucial. Students should stay aware of their surroundings, know emergency contacts, and practice good habits both at school and on their way home,” Okiror said.
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