A number of parents said they are under pressure following tough decisions by schools asking for early payment of school fees despite the short period the term is to take.
The Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo has threatened to take tough reprimand measures against any public-school administrator that sends learners back home for nonpayment of third term school fees.
As for private schools, Muyingo advised them to confine themselves to regulations governing schools, cautioning that although their schools are private, they are training national children and so should extend leniency where it is needed.
Muyingo was reacting to a public outcry over prohibitive school fees coupled with school managers asking for either zero balance on day one of the new term, or at least 80% down payment which parents say is too trying under the present financial hardships.
In his directive, the minister said, “I have directed parents to send their children to school with requirements; this is a short term and UNEB examination time table starts soon and we cannot dilly dally with letting learners get down to serious studies”.
A number of parents said they are under pressure following tough decisions by schools asking for early payment of school fees despite the short period the term is to take.
According to the school calendar, the term which begins on September 15th ends on 5th December.
In certain schools, besides school fees, there are other unconditional payments to be made including food for the visitation day (government banned the carrying of food by parents), farewell parties for P7, S4 and S6 finalists, purchasing of scholastic materials and other requirements.
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Ahmed Kasule of Lungujja made a desperate appeal to the government to prevail on schools to reverse the decision requiring parents for down payment to zero balance on day one, at a time when communities are languishing in biting poverty.
Manisul Kasule said he has children in several schools, adding that he is at a crossroads and does not know how to go about the dilemma.
However, Jesca Nakate is of the opinion that at times, parents are to blame because she pointed out, a child may break off with an unbalanced amount, and begins the new term with no payment at all which makes it difficult for the school administrators.
Jane Nakitto suggests that parents begin shifting their eyes to UPE and USE schools with friendly terms to avoid bitter exchanges with private schools, adding that the government has endeavored to institute such schools in as many areas as possible.
The chairman for Nyanama zone Frederick Robert Kiggundu said he has refused to sign loan applications for some parents because he foresees a situation where the parents may lose their homes in mortgages to money lenders just because of paying school fees for their children.