School heads running Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools have been put on notice, with State House warning that those squeezing money out of parents or manipulating school records could soon find themselves facing disciplinary or criminal action.
The warning was issued by Jimmy Nambiro, Head of the State House Education Desk and Presidential Private Secretary on Education and Skilling, who said the monitoring of government-funded schools has been intensified across the country.
Nambiro said the State House will not sit back and watch school administrators frustrate the Government's universal education programme through illegal charges and other abuses.
He said UPE, introduced in 1997, and USE, launched in 2007, were created specifically to ensure that children from poor and vulnerable families are not locked out of school because their parents cannot afford fees.
But according to Nambiro, some school administrators, PTAs and school boards are undermining the programme by demanding money from parents for services that should already be covered under government support.
He cited illegal school and development charges, demands for UNEB registration fees, ghost learners, ghost teachers and poor accountability for the money among the practices being investigated.
The warning on examination fees is particularly significant, with the State House insisting that the Government pays registration fees for candidates sitting Primary Seven, O-Level and A-Level examinations, with Nambiro describing the vice as a serious barrier to access to free Education meant to benefit the poor.
Such practices, State House says could also damage the credibility of the Government by creating the impression that presidential promises on free education are not being implemented.
For school heads involved in the alleged abuses, the message from State House was clear, that the consequences could be serious, as Nambiro revealed that several head teachers, school inspectors and District Education Officers are already facing investigations over the said violations.
Those found culpable, he said, will face disciplinary or legal action.
The State House Education Desk is working with the Anti-Corruption Unit under the Office of the President to follow up reported cases and establish how government resources are being utilised.
The official said the crackdown will not be limited to Kampala, with field monitoring expected to continue country-wide.
He further called on District Education Officers, inspectors, RDCs, DISOs, GISOs and political, religious and cultural leaders to help expose schools violating government directives.
Parents and members of the public can report suspected cases to the State House Education Desk through 071 6095366.
Nambiro said the Government currently supports more than 12,551 primary schools and 1,615 secondary schools, while the number of children accessing education has grown from about 2.5 million before universal education to approximately 10 million today.
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