Proprietors and heads of private schools in Wakiso District who illegally operate boarding sections risk prosecution, authorities have warned.
Wakiso District Education Officer, Fredrick Kiyinji Kinobe, says that some schools have illegally established boarding sections and forced students to join in violation of the law.
Without specifying the laws, Kinobe appealed to the directors of the schools to leave the parents to make choices based on their abilities.
While commending the school heads and proprietors for reopening, Kinobe appealed to the schools to desist from charging exorbitant UNEB registration fees but instead sit and negotiate with parents.
He warned that such high fees charged would deter learners from registering for the UNEB examinations.
He said that the unregulated boarding sections risk the lives of learners. The DEO’s warning comes amid ongoing police investigations into the causes of numerous fires that have gutted several schools in the recent past leading to injury and death of learners.
Kinobe made the remarks while briefing the private school heads and directors about the government plan on the issuance of cash relief to all teachers after the lockdown. About the cash relief, Kinobe appealed to the school heads and directors to desist from blocking teachers from accessing the money.
He explained that although schools resumed fully, the hardships that the teachers went through were enormous and that the cash relief would help them to offset some of the expenses. Kinobe said that the teachers only have one week to fill and submit the forms to the District Education Office in order to access the cash relief.
Under the arrangement, upon registration, each teacher is scheduled to receive Shillings 200,000 for relief. Wakiso District Schools Inspector, Tom Kasule warned the school heads against conmen who purport to inspect their schools with the motive of extortion.
Kasule said that some of the con men claim to be inspectors from town councils and sub-counties and from the ministry of education.
Wakiso District Chairperson, Matia Lwanga Bwanika commended private schools for contributing towards the education and development of the country.
He said there is a need for the government to put in place more initiatives to motivate the teachers to effectively play their role.
