By Moses Muruli
MASINDI: Parents in Masindi district are worried about some schools increasing fees for learners ahead of reopening next week despite effect of lock down within period of two years, and want it revised.
A number of parents that www.ugreports.com spoke to expressed concern that despite their businesses being affected by the corona virus induced lock down, many schools have gone ahead to increase school fees.
Naftal Kawamara a parent who owns Naft tours and travels says his returns have been lowered by the lock down for the two year period yet he has to pay a hefty amount in school fees. Kawamara is also concerned about how children who had adopted a new lifestyle with the home environment now have to change to school life.
James Masaba vendor at Masindi central market has cried out to central government to support parents as they take their children to school.
Another parent, a mechanic within Masindi town who preferred anonymity says although there is urgent need for children to go back to school, school managers need not hike school fees considering that parents have been adversely affected by the lock down.
However the heads of the schools around Masindi town www.ugreports.com contacted deny increasing the fees while some said it their suppliers that have increased the prices of some of the items they use.
Moreen Ajok the head teacher Light School Masindi explained that they didn’t hike the school fees since all people were affected, she further explained that they have put in place all the necessities for observing the standard operating procedures and registration of news pupils is ongoing.
Regan Mwesigwa, the Director of Studies at Uthman mixed and John Kyamanywa and the head teacher Asaba primary schools say their schools have maintained the fees that they were charging before the schools were closed. They said they could not increase the fees well knowing that Covid has affected everyone including the parents.
On his part, Ronald Baguma, the operations manager Red Earth education admits that they have increased money for some items that learners pay for at the school after their suppliers increased the price citing market situation. Baguma clarified that their school fees structure has remained the same.
