Thousands of parents will start paying for meals for their children in schools under the Universal Primary Education program in the next school term.
The decision was agreed upon after Parliament’s education committee tasked education ministry officials to explain why schools are not providing food for the pupils.
State Minister for Primary Education Rosemary Sseninde led the team that appeared before members of Parliament’s Education Committee. The committee was querying various issues in the education sector like the ongoing strike by university non-teaching staff and the complaints by members of the Uganda National Teachers Union about funds for their SACCO.
When the program was started in 1997 to help at least four children from poorer families to be able to get an education, their parents were required to provide food for them. Over the years, the back and forth argument between parents, schools and government about who should provide food, has resulted in many children going hungry during the day.
Under the 1998 UPE Implementation Guidelines, the Government is responsible for the provision of textbooks, teachers guides, construction of basic school facilities like classrooms and libraries and supervision of the implementation of UPE activities.
Parents were supposed to provide scholastic materials, clothing and meals for their children and ensure proper utilization of UPE funds.
Government is supposed to provide a capitation grant of Shs10,000 per pupil per year which is calculated at roughly Shs30 per pupil per day. This Shs10,000 is spent on instructional materials, co-curricular activities, school management and on school administration.
MPs argued that this money is insufficient. Others criticized the UPE system, saying government has not played its role in implementing its part.
Sseninde said the ministry’s decision will compel parents to pay for their children’s meals starting next term. The minister said a policy shall be developed on how much, and to who the money will be remitted.