Busoga's UPE Schools Struggle with Overcrowding, Dilapidated Facilities Amidst Inadequate Funding

Primary schools under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program in Uganda’s Busoga Sub-region are grappling with a severe crisis. Despite increasing student enrollments, many schools are struggling with overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of desks, and the challenge of operating within dilapidated structures. This situation is compounded by what school administrators describe as insufficient capitation grants from the government, which are intended to cover daily operational expenses.

Head teachers report that the current funding, at Shs20,000 per learner annually, is inadequate to meet the diverse needs of the schools. Funds are often quickly depleted on essential teaching materials, utilities, and co-curricular activities, leaving little for much-needed repairs and infrastructure development. At Nairika Primary School, for instance, six pupils are crammed onto desks designed for four, and some children sit on the floor, with lower primary classes exceeding 100 learners. The school received only Shs2.15 million in capitation for the first term, a sum deemed insufficient by the head teacher, who estimates Shs6 million per term is needed.

Similar issues plague other schools like Ndhoya Primary School, where old classroom blocks built in the 1980s are in disrepair, featuring cracked walls and leaking roofs. Furniture shortages are so severe that up to eight pupils share a single desk, and some facilities, like toilets, are inadequate and lack doors, compromising privacy. While the government provides a separate School Facilities Grant (SFG) for infrastructure, the allocated amounts are reportedly insufficient and must be prioritized for the neediest schools, leaving many others to fend for themselves.

The Ministry of Education and Sports acknowledges the funding gap, attributing it to resource limitations and rising enrollments. Spokesperson Denis Mugimba stated that while the capitation grant covers routine costs, major infrastructure needs are addressed through other government projects and the SFG. The ministry also notes that districts are advised to concentrate limited SFG funds on the most critical needs rather than spreading them too thinly. However, the persistent challenges highlight the significant strain on UPE schools and the urgent need for increased and more effective resource allocation to ensure a conducive learning environment for all pupils.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/upe-schools-grapple-with-congestion-old-structures-5562006