Kampala: Faith-Based Foundation Bodies under the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) have appealed to the Government to reaffirm its position on the legitimate charges levied by government grant-aided schools, saying the fees are necessary to bridge critical funding gaps and should not be used to victimise, intimidate or publicly humiliate headteachers and school managers.
According to Church of Uganda’s Director of Education Services, Rev Canon Dr Paul Kakooza, the joint communication is intended to clarify why government grant-aided schools continue to levy certain charges despite receiving government funding.
“While the Government provides capitation grants, these do not fully meet the actual cost of delivering quality education, leaving schools to meet essential expenses such as staff remuneration beyond the government payroll, utilities, infrastructure maintenance, feeding programmes, chaplaincy and counselling services.” Rev Canon Dr Kakooza said.
He noted that the Foundation Bodies are not opposing Government oversight but are calling for the implementation of the resolutions reached during the 2024 State House meeting, which recognised the existing funding gaps.
He added that any concerns regarding school charges should be addressed through established legal and administrative procedures rather than through public condemnation of school leaders.
The joint communication was signed by Rev Canon Dr Paul Kakooza, Director of Education Services, Church of Uganda; Rev Fr Dr Ronald Reagan Okello, National Executive Secretary for Education, Uganda Episcopal Conference; and Mr Kombe Theodorous Lyazi, Education Secretary, Uganda Orthodox Church, on behalf of the three Faith-Based Foundation Bodies under the Uganda Joint Christian Council.
