Moses Kidega, the Deputy Head-teacher of Gulu College School, a private aided institution disclosed that of 141 candidates registered to sit UCE, only 78 had partially cleared the school dues while 63 were still struggling to look for fees worth over 20 million shillings.
The Forum for Academic Staff Association in Public Universities (FASPU) chaired by Kamunyu will on Friday meet the Vice Chancellor`s Forum under the chairmanship of Kyambogo University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elly Katunguka at Kyambogo University.
Capitation grant is computed based on school’s enrollment. The government provides 10,000 shillings for each pupil under the Universal Primary Education -UPE. Those under Universal Secondary Education are allocated 41,000 Shillings and 85,000 shillings for O’ and A’level respectively.
Irene Mwaka, the Headteacher of Gulu Senior Secondary School acknowledges that the period after the reopening of schools couldn’t allow for completion of the O'level syllabus but maintains that teachers did their best to prepare the finalists amidst the COVID-19 uncertainties.
Kahendero primary which has an enrolment of over 210 learners may not be able to handle this number once all classes fully resume according to the school administrators.
Ismael Mulindwa, the director in charge of basic and secondary education says that after several meetings, they have realized that semi-candidates in primary six, Senior three, and senior five had been allocated limited time to run through their respective class syllabi before they can be promoted to candidate classes.
The suspects have been identified as Alex Okello, 20, Richard Bua alias Matooke, 22 and Emmanuel Oyugi aged 30, all residents of Labworomor Village, Tegot Parish in Lakwana Sub-County.
Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, the director of education standards, says they have noted that some schools which were formally registered as a day or day and boarding have closed the day section pressurizing learners to either join the boarding section or seek admission elsewhere.
Resty Nampijja the Director of Amazing Grace Nursery and Primary School says that currently they need over 10 million shillings to meet COVID-19 SOPs and other operational costs which are not available.
According to the schedule, first term of the 2021 academic year will start on August 9, and end on October 29, 2021. Learners will go for a fifteen-day holiday and return for the second term on November 15 studying up to February 4, 2022. On February 22, 2022, the third term will begin and end on May 2 of the same year.
In her resignation letter to the Gulu University Secretary, David Obol Otori, Naggayi explained that she decided to resign to enable her to contribute to the services of another institution, with effect from March 1st, 2021.
But Janet Lydia Ajwang, the head teacher Ikwera Negri School for the disabled, says due to financial burdens imposed on the parents by Covid-19 lock down, they have resolved to lower the school fees from 215,000 shillings to 120,000 shillings for the boarding learners.
Lack of boreholes at the school has compelled parents to load their children with water containers to carry to school for daily use. Girls in boarding schools are exposed to dangers as they trek several miles daily to fetch water for school use.
In some Kalangala Primary Schools URN visited on Monday, the turn up of semi candidates has been very low, at about 10% what it was before the break out for Covid-19 holiday.
The examinations started at 9 a.m. prompt at the Luzira Maximum Security Prisons where access to outsiders has been limited to invigilators while movement in the upper prison is also restricted. One can only access Prisons through the main gate as three of the small gates have been locked due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ongoing public universities lecturers’ strike and absence of timetables have given Makerere University first year students a rude welcome at the institute of higher learning.
Prof. Umar Kakumba the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, notes that the postponement was based on the request of the University Ceremonies Committee which wanted more time for proper planning and organising the event.
Aron Balinda, Director of Studies Kisaasi College says they were unable to implement all SOPs with only candidates. With two other classes added, he says they cannot enforce them. According to him, few schools can accommodate huge numbers of learners in the boarding section with the recommended social distancing.
At 37 years, Opio who is believed to have achieved everything one needs in life, says an academic background is key to the management of a flourishing business.
Mwaka says the school administration is determined to block the students from sitting the examination once their parents don't make convincing commitments