No more early openings and closure for Private schools

siteadmin October 9, 2023 News No Comment

Private school owners in Uganda have come to an agreement with the Ministry of Education and Sports to stop the practice of starting and ending school terms earlier than the official national calendar dictates.

The National Private Educational Institutions Association (NPEIA) Uganda, representing private school owners in the country, has expressed concerns about the dangers of deviating from the national calendar regarding school term schedules.

Mr. Hasadu Kirabira, the national chairperson of NPEIA-UG, announced this agreement during celebrations marking 30 years and a national prayer dedication for students taking Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). He emphasized that closing a school before the official date is illegal.

The Director of Basic and Secondary Education in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr. Ismail Mulindwa, pointed out that private schools often follow their own calendars for opening and closing terms. However, Mr. Kirabira placed some of the responsibility for early closures on parents who fail to pay school fees promptly.

Mr. Kirabira highlighted the significant role private schools play in providing quality education, despite facing challenges such as taxes. He called on the government to consider revising the tax system, unifying taxation for all private schools, and regulating Local Government taxes.

Mr. Swaibu Kitezala, the executive director of Jinja Progressive Academy (Jipra), explained that the decision to hold the prayers in Busoga Sub-region and at Jinja Progressive Academy was made during a similar function at St. Lawrence Schools.

 
Regarding income tax, Mr. Kitezala expressed concerns about its impact on private schools, as it is challenging to determine profits when facilities are inadequate. He suggested that indirect taxes would suffice, as education benefits the entire community.

While acknowledging the government’s constraints, Mr. Mulindwa, representing the State Minister for Higher Education, Mr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, encouraged schools to continue advocating for their needs.

Mr. Dennis Mbiika, the acting head of sales, channels, and marketing at Letshego Uganda, encouraged schools to seek solutions for their specific needs, including expansion, building purchases, and salary loans for teachers.