By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE
Resident District Commissioners from different districts in Bugisu region have come up with different reactions in terms of implementing the Presidential directive for free education in public schools.
Last month President Museveni reiterated his directive of stopping all public primary and secondary schools from sending away children back home over PTA and food fees.
According to the President PTA and food fees must not be compulsory at government-aided secondary and primary schools because most of the parents are poor to afford that and yet their children must access education.
John Rex Aachilla, the Mbale Resident City Commissioner says that there are some schools like Gangama Primary School and others that have defied the Presidential directive but promised that he is going to deal with such school leaders.
He adds that since the President issued the directive last month, he got information on Tuesday, 11th July, 2023 that some schools within Mbale City have sent children back home over PTA fees.
Asumin Nasike, the Mbale Resident District Commissioner says that in her district, she has so not received any cases of head teachers sending children back home over PTA or Lunch fees except in one case which was registered at Nyondo secondary school. She says she cautioned the head teacher.
Julie Namara, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Namisindwa says that in her district, some schools have agreed with parents to pay some small fee for PTA which can be used to pay salaries to support staff and teachers who are not on government payroll.
She adds that it’s not mandatory for every parent meaning those who don’t pay are not chased away from school.
Stanley Bayola, the Resident District Commissioner of Bulambuli says that he has instructed all parents who can’t afford to pay lunch fees to pack food for their children.
He says that so far he has not yet got cases of schools sending children back home.
Ephraim Denis Balwaniregha, the Sironko Resident District Commissioner has cautioned all government aided schools to adhere to the Presidential directive warning that they risk being arrested.
