shs 5000 weekly test fee chasing away pupils from UPE schools

Parents attributed the increased cases of school dropouts in the district to the weekly tests fees of sh5000.

BUKEDEA – The extra sh5000 being charged in Universal Primary Education schools (UPE) as weekly fees for tests is scaring away pupils from schools in Bukedea district. Parents in Bukedea district have said.

The Parents attributed the increased cases of school dropouts in the district to the weekly tests fees of sh5000.

The parents made the revelation  recently during the district dialogue organised by Uganda Debt Network at Bukedea district council chambers.

“Our children are being sent back home because they have failed to pay extra sh5000 for weekly tests. This action from headteachers and class teachers has also frustrated our children from attending classes frequently,” She said

Absenteeism among the teachers and pupils in Bukedea district schools has become so common leading to poor performance during final examinations.

Alupo Anna Mary, one of the village team monitors attached to Uganda Debt Network revealed that parents have poor attitude towards taking their children to school.

“Parents claim that they are tired of taking their children to schools and then after completing school they fail to get jobs yet they are spending a lot of money,” Alupo said.