By Amoto Ndiewo
The Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) in Kampala reported that private schools in Uganda risk closure due to Covid-19 related financial challenges.
The centre says that 40% and 60% of Ugandan primary and secondary schools are private schools either run by individuals, religious bodies, charitable organizations or are pure money minting businesses.
The research centre further points out that the main source of income for these schools is school fees , which cover the running costs and teachers’ salaries ranging between $100(KSh10,000) Ush350,000/and $250(KSh25,000)Ush880,000/ a month.
‘’Unfortunately, when schools closed, parents stopped paying school fees and the incomes of these private schools dried up. The schools stopped paying teachers, but the government continued paying state teachers, ’’ said the think tank.
The think tank states that while some schools offer high quality education and have good state of the art facilities, others are hell bent on minting money from parents.
It was also revealed that the government’s promise to assist private schools hasn’t been forthcoming, an issue that prompted many teachers in private schools to opt for other careers.
It is feared that some schools may not reopen and those that will, may not have enough tutors.
Hundreds of private schools have been put up for sale due to pressure from banks and other financial bodies owing to unpaid loans.
“Many owners of these schools have not earned an interest in running schools since the schools were closed and their profit margins have dwindled to zero as some pay rents for buildings they don’t earn anything from,’’ noted the think tank .
