Minister Kyofatogabye speaking to parents of Wakyato Seed Secondary School
Kabuye Kyofatogabye, the Nakaseke Central Member of Parliament and State Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, has urged parents at Wakyato Seed Secondary School in Nakaseke District to support their children’s education if they want them to excel academically.
Kyofatogabye made the remarks on Tuesday during a parents’ meeting at the school, which he convened following a complaint from a parent alleging that learners were being charged between Shs650,000 and Shs900,000 in school fees.
Following the complaint, Kyofatogabye directed the school administration, led by Headteacher Zuria Kunihira Karim, to convene a meeting with parents and explain the charges at the government school.
However, the school’s Board of Governors and the headteacher refuted the allegations, explaining that the school does not charge school fees. Kunihira said the small fees collected are mainly for catering services for learners in the boarding section, as well as lunch for other students.
The parents unanimously dismissed the allegations of excessive fees and said they were comfortable with the contributions, which they described as beneficial to their children’s education. However, they appealed to the school administration to introduce flexible payment arrangements.
Kyofatogabye said the controversy could have resulted from a misunderstanding or miscommunication between the school and parents. He urged parents to continue supporting their children while encouraging the school administration to ensure that no learner is sent away because of failure to pay.
He further asked the school to consider alternative forms of payment, including allowing parents to contribute food items such as maize to support the school’s lunch programme.
Kyofatogabye explained that some of the complaints may have concerned learners admitted under a different category after failing to attain the government-recommended marks for government-supported places.
“If your learners failed to pass with four to 28 points in the Primary Leaving Examinations, you are supposed to pay a small fees because the government is not catering for such students,” Kyofatogabye explained.
The minister said he was impressed by the school’s rapid growth in enrolment, noting that the number of learners had increased from 187 to 528.
He attributed some of the school’s developments to contributions from parents, including the construction of a school fence, extension of the water supply system and recruitment of teachers on a private basis.
“The school has been able to erect a school fence, extend water supply and recruit teachers on a private basis. All these are activities supported by parents. I see no problem if the parents agree to make contributions for the development of the school,” Kyofatogabye said.
Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka, the Nakaseke District LC5 Chairperson, also appealed to parents to support the school financially if they want their children to study in a conducive environment and perform well.
“As you cry of poverty, parents in other schools are contributing millions towards their children to ensure they pass. Your child will sit the same examinations and compete for the same jobs with such children. So invest in your children rather than making unfounded complaints about small fees charged,” Koomu said.
