Headteacher arrested for charging fees at UPE school

Mbarara, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A primary school head teacher in Mbarara district has been arrested for unlawfully soliciting for money from parents.

Jolly Tumwebaze, the Head Teacher at Kabingo One Primary School in Nyakayojo Division was arrested after she reportedly sent pupils home for failing to pay school dues. Every pupil in the lower classes at the school was required to pay 30,000 Shillings while those in upper classes were paying 35,000 shillings.

Sources indicate that her arrest was sanctioned by the office of the Resident District Commissioner after a group of parents called for government intervention. The school is run under the governments Universal Primary Education Programme.

Mbarara Deputy Resident District Commissioner Emmy Katera Turyabagyenyi says that his office received several complaints from concerned citizens.

Turyabagyenyi argues that much as payments may be allowed under the Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education programmes, the school authorities are not allowed to send pupils away from school. He added that the practice is not acceptable but also appealed to parents to always honor the promises they make especially when it comes to supplementing the efforts of the government.

The head teacher Jolly Tumwebaze told our reporter that the money was collected in the implementation of a decision by the school management which was also endorsed by parents at a parent’s general meeting. She said that the confusion is perpetuated by a small section of parents who have refused to contribute towards the welfare of their children.

By the time of filing this story, the head teacher was being held at Mbarara Central Police Station. Samson Kasasira the Rwizi Regional Police Spokesperson says that investigations into the matter are under way.

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