The controversy in Butaleja district highlights the challenges in implementing the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) policies, which aim to provide free education to all. The clash between Assistant RDC Richard Kasozi and District Speaker Yunus Hamila exposes the contradictions in enforcing the ban on fees in government schools.
On one hand, Kasozi’s stance represents the government’s commitment to free education, emphasizing that parents should only bear the cost of scholastic materials, uniforms, and extra requirements.
On the other hand, Hamila’s argument underscores the reality on the ground, where teachers rely on the small fees collected to supplement their income and maintain morale.
This dichotomy raises questions about the sustainability of the free education policy and the need for alternative solutions to support teachers and schools.
Will the government find ways to address the funding gaps and motivate teachers, or will the policy remain a noble idea on paper? The debate in Butaleja district echoes the nationwide struggle to balance the ideals of free education with the practical realities of implementing it.