Whereas UPE started in 1997, USE started with the 2007, ten years later. This implies that the beneficiaries of UPE the editor referred never benefited from USE. There are several factors responsible for the high drop out especially after P7 including but not limited to
· failure to make it from primary section to secondary
· poverty
· community’s perception about a girl child
· attitude towards education
· education environment
· early pregnancies
Several studies have been made about UPE drop outs and facts well are documented. Initially there was no free education after Primary seven, so many dropped out for reasons of school fees this is what prompted government to usher in USE even when other players thought we were ill prepared. We had however taken lessons from UPE and thus courteously implemented USE.
Government decided not to take on all classes and schools as desired we started with S.1 and S. 2 day schools in 2007 with candidates who had at least attained 28 aggregates. It was assumed that a parent who can afford to take a child in a boarding school is averagely fairing and therefore could afford to push on as Government supports the needy poor. This caused need for day schools in areas whether they are not available in order to extend this service evenly and equitably thus governments programme for seed secondary schools, one at least in every sub-county. We also cooperated with private day school to take on Government students as government constructs her own schools to accommodate the numbers.
USE at the moment is limited to O’ Level. Government proposes investing more in vocational institutions than advanced level so that 2 years after Ordinary level one comes one with practical skills relevant to his life. Then matters of theory and geography can be furthered by people with an option.
I am trying to access Mr. Kibenbe to get his comment on the inspectorate department and when I get it I shall post it. I have his mobile but I am not at liberty to give it out you can however try his office line on 414 258429.
However I want to let you know that there is no age limit to UPE. Many people too advantage of the opening up to education and went back to school when UPE started and that’s how the numbers overshoot. There is 75 year man who is now P. 6 in Arua and another one in 60s sat his Primary seven Kiwatule. He actually studied with his grand children in the same class.
Kids on the road: Government instituted rehabilitation officers at District levels to care of child affairs and they do a lot in resettling these children. They do monitoring up to their homes to settle conflicts in homes that cause children run aways. The challenge however is that this became a source of income. Many people with NGO to settle pretending to be helping these children actually entice them to keep on road. Besides others are sent by their own parents to stay on road and beg, so its been tricky. But I also agree that not enough has been done by the City Authorities.
Education was decentralised both by region and sections. By sections I mean Primary, Secondary and Higher Education. The Person now responsible for secondary education is Commissioner Nsubuga who can also be reached on 414 348026. I will talk to both and try to get their email addresses.
Aisha Kabanda
Former presidential Aide
