Published on 17/09/2024
Legislators have criticized the government for delaying capitation grants which often arrive after schools have closed. This delay disrupts educational activities and leaves institutions struggling to manage their finances.
According to Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West County), the Ministry of Finance has not availed the capitation grants in time despite Parliament’s guidance that schools should get the funds 15 days before the commencement of new school terms.
“Government pays Shs3,000 per child per term, and the term has 92 days, but you have failed to send this money in time. If you send money after a term has moved two months, teachers will not be able to buy chalk and pens to aid their teaching,” said Ssewungu.
He added that the failure by some schools to adequately prepare for the teaching term has seen students not reporting for the school terms which he noted, affects those in candidate classes.
“We have talked to parents to take their children to school but there is nothing to do at school. They are taking them to slash [grass] and this is something the Minister for Finance should address,” Ssewungu said.
He raised the concerns while presenting a matter of national importance during the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa on Tuesday, 17 September 2024.
The State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi committed to return to Parliament with details of figures of the capitation grant that was budgeted for and has been released so far.
He also promised to present what the ministry will release in the next quarter of the financial year.
“The matter being raised by Hon. Gonzaga Ssewungu is a matter of national importance, and from the way he is portraying it, is as though government is not doing anything which is not the case. I need to come back here tomorrow [Wednesday] with facts,” said Musasizi.
Workers Representative, Hon. Margaret Rwabushaija called for a committee to investigate the non-payment of part-time teaching staff at Kyambogo University.
Rwabushaija said the university has a deficit of Shs5.6 billion in salary arrears.
“The university’s Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering is demanding up to 16 months of salary arrears. The Human Resource Department dismissed these part-time lecturers instead of working to make ensure that they get what they are claiming for,” Rwabushaija added.
She alluded to a 2023 scenario when part-time lecturers from the same university threatened to withdraw their services by not setting examinations, which she said indicated the workforce gap and the need for remuneration.
Tayebwa tasked the State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang to present a statement in the next sitting of the House.
