Schools in different parts of the country are upset over delays in the release of the long-awaited capitation grant.
In December, the Ministry of Education released 62 Billion Shillings as capitation grants for schools in the current financial year. The grant normally is used by schools to procure instructional materials, facilitate co-curricular activities, school management, and payment of utilities like electricity and water.
The ministry said that the money should be used to: purchase basic amenities for observance of SOPs and to carry out minor repairs like roof leaks and face-lifting.
However, on Monday, when schools reopened after two years of being closed, some of the schools in Kasese were yet to put in place the Standard Operating Procedures-SOPs and carry out minor renovations.
The school administrators say that while many schools across the country received at least 50 percent of the capitation grant, those in Kasese had not yet received the money.
Ikwera Thembo Remegio, the Kasese Primary School Head Teacher says that the school was by Monday still struggling to finish renovations on some classrooms and payment of water bills due to limited PTA contributions.
At Muhokya Primary School Paskazia Kabugho, the school headteacher says that the school lacks the capital to get credit from local suppliers. She adds that due to limited resources, the teachers were involved in cleaning the school compound and some of the structures.
Augustine Musenero, the Kasese High School Administrator put in place all the required SOPs on Monday though he is worried that of the limited accommodation facilities.
Erisa Tigalyoma, the headteacher Nyisango Primary School in Bugoya Sub County says they have opened with difficulties due to lack of adequate funds. He says that some of the structures are in an appalling state and need urgent renovation.
The District Education Officer George Mainja says the district completed all the required guidelines and is waiting for the funds.
At Katebwa SDA Primary School in Bunyangabu District, there are only four classrooms that were ready for use. The two other classroom blocks are in an appalling state after they were vandalized.
Enock Kasimba, the Secretary for Education Katebwa Sub County says that they made several requests to the authorities to renovate the school structures before schools re-open but they were yet to receive any response.
In Busia district, some schools like Busia SS, Busyabala Primary School, Majanji, Habuleke Primary Schools, among others are still in a poor state and their hopes were on the capitation grant.
Aggrey Mayende, the Chairman of Busia District Secondary Schools Head Teachers’ Association says that most of the schools in the district are lacking handwashing facilities, sanitizers, and even temperature guns, making it difficult to enforce the Standard Operating Procedures-SOPs.
Alex Ogalo, the headteacher of Busyabala primary school says that they were promised 1.5 Million Shillings to buy the equipment. Ogalo says that due to lack of funds, they decided to open in a staggered manner.
In Mbale City, Abubakar Masifa, the Head Teacher of Bukonde Secondary School said the school is yet to receive the money. He says that they are currently using part of the money that remained on the school account as they wait for money from the government.
Gabriel Makanga, the Busia District Senior Education Officer says that several schools are in need of renovation after the structures were destroyed by heavy rains.
In Bududa, Michael Natsami the headteacher Mabono Primary School in Bududa District said they are finding it hard to enforce the SOPs because they don’t have funds to purchase sanitizers and handwashing facilities.
Tappy Namulondo the Bududa District Chief Administrative Officer says that all schools un the district will receive the funds before the end of the week.
