The Government of Uganda has announced a major reform in the management of school fees for public educational institutions.
Effective July 1, all school fees and related charges in government-aided primary and secondary schools will be collected through the consolidated fund managed by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
This measure is aimed at improving accountability and ensuring transparency in the utilization of school funds.
For decades, several leading public schools, including King’s College Budo, Gayaza High School, Busoga College Mwiri, and Ntare School, among others, have independently levied and managed school fees.
These schools have set fee structures at varying levels, with some charging significantly higher amounts than private institutions, despite receiving government subsidies.
However, concerns have emerged regarding the financial mismanagement of these funds, as some schools have accumulated substantial debts, placing their continued operation at risk.
Reports indicate that certain headteachers have resorted to selling school property, such as land, to clear outstanding loans.
Furthermore, there have been cases where public schools failed to properly account for the substantial amounts collected each academic term.
In response to these challenges, the government has instituted this reform as part of the National Development Plan (NDP) IV, which will be implemented in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The policy mandates that all fees charged in public schools be remitted through the URA, effectively categorizing them as non-tax revenue.
According to the government, this initiative is designed to enhance financial discipline in public education institutions and align with broader economic development goals outlined in Uganda Vision 2040.
Scope of the Policy
The new policy will affect both primary and secondary government-aided schools that charge fees outside the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs.
The Ministry of Education estimates that approximately 12,595 government-owned primary schools and 1,444 secondary schools operate across the country.
Of these, around 200 institutions currently charge fees approved by the Ministry, ranging from UGX 2.3 million to UGX 3 million per term.
These include schools such as Nabisunsa Girls, King’s College Budo, and Ntare School, each with an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students.
At an estimated enrollment of 2,000 students per institution, these 200 schools collectively educate approximately 400,000 learners.
#With an average fee of UGX 1 million per student per term, public schools are estimated to collect between UGX 400 billion and UGX 1.2 trillion annually.
Schools known for imposing substantial fees include Mengo Senior School, Kibuli Secondary School, Makerere College School, St. Mary’s College Kisubi, and Maryhill High School. Similarly, some primary schools affected by the reform include Namilyango Boys Junior School, St. Savio Junior School Kisubi, and Mwiri Primary School in Jinja.
Implementation Mechanism
Under this new framework, parents will be required to remit school fees directly to the URA using a Payment Reference Number (PRN), which will facilitate transactions through banks or mobile money services.
This system, which has previously been implemented in higher institutions of learning such as universities, is expected to improve transparency and enable both parents and schools to track fee payments effectively.
Additionally, public schools will be mandated to submit annual budgets that will be integrated into the national budget.
Based on these budgets, the government will allocate funds to schools on a quarterly basis to ensure smooth operations.
This structure aims to curb financial mismanagement by ensuring that institutions operate within approved budgetary frameworks.
Expert Opinions
Education experts have expressed support for this reform, highlighting its potential to enhance financial accountability in public schools.
Professor George Ladaah Openjuru, Vice-Chancellor of Gulu University, noted that the centralized collection of fees at universities has relieved institutions of the burden of tracking tuition payments from students.
However, he also cautioned that institutions must ensure their financial projections align with their operational needs, as any overstatements in non-tax revenue collections could lead to government audits and funding adjustments.
The government remains committed to ensuring that the implementation of this policy strengthens the education sector by promoting financial prudence and reinforcing the sustainability of public schools.
By centralizing fee collection, the government aims to curb financial mismanagement and ensure that resources are effectively utilized to support educational development in the country.
