education 30 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Parents and Private Schools Raise Concerns Over Soaring TVET Assessment Fees
Parents and private health training institutions in Uganda are expressing significant concern over the introduction of new, higher assessment fees under the recent Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act, potentially impacting the affordability of crucial healthcare education. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/parents-private-schools-cry-foul-over-rising-tvet-assessment-fees-5514182
Recent reforms to Uganda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system, implemented through the TVET Act of December 2024 and taking effect in March 2026, have introduced a modular, competency-based assessment model. While intended to enhance the quality and practical relevance of training, particularly in health professions, the accompanying fee structure has drawn sharp criticism.
Under the new framework, students face substantial assessment charges on top of tuition and other institutional fees. Learners are reportedly paying between Shs200,000 and Shs230,000 per semester for assessments alone. This marks a significant increase compared to previous systems and regional benchmarks.
A survey highlighted that Ugandan students’ assessment costs are considerably higher than those in neighboring Kenya, as well as in Ghana and South Africa. Unlike in these countries where assessment fees are often integrated into broader training costs or paid once as a qualification requirement, Uganda’s model imposes recurring charges throughout a student’s program. A certificate student, for instance, may undergo multiple external assessments, accumulating costs that can reach approximately Shs480,000 annually.
The Uganda Private Health Training Institutions Association (UPHITA), through its General Secretary Andrew Mugisha, has called for urgent reforms to the assessment fees. UPHITA warns that the current financial burden could deter students and lead to a decrease in the number of qualified health workers graduating in the country.
Dr. Safinah Musene, Commissioner for Health Education and Training at the Ministry of Education and Sports, acknowledged the concerns, stating that the TVET Act aims to improve quality assurance and regulation. She assured stakeholders that the Act would be reviewed to better accommodate all interests, offering a potential ray of hope for parents and institutions grappling with the rising costs. The key challenge remains how quickly these regulations can be revised to make health training accessible.