RUKUNGIRI- Hon. Maj. Gen. Jim Katugugu Muhwezi, the Minister for Security and Rujumbura County Member of Parliament has re-echoed the president’s call warning government schools against charging fees.
Minister Muhwezi said that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had directed that no illegal charges should be entertained in all government-aided schools in the country.
He made the call yesterday Tuesday while meeting residents of Burombe and Ndere parishes in Ruhinda Sub County Rukungiri district during a community-based monitoring and accountability forum well known as Baraza.
During Baraza, Residents expressed displeasure that primary school head teachers dismiss pupils for failing to pay fees, despite their belief that government-aided institutions should provide free education.
Responding to the issue, Hon. Jim Muhwezi reminded the Head teachers about the reasons behind the establishment of Universal education at both Primary and Secondary levels which was to help the less privileged to also attain education.
“There are some challenges that threaten to reverse the gains we have made. One of these challenges is the high school dropout rate. We have established that illegal school charges are some of the drivers of school dropouts. To solve this, we have banned all these charges. They are illegal,” Muhwezi said.
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Jim Muhwezi added that government will not stop arresting head teachers chasing learners from school over non-payment of school dues.
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Meanwhile, during Baraza meeting at Ndere Parish headquarters, Natukunda Evelyn on behalf of residents claimed to be aware of politicians who make false promises in order to win over the public, claiming that they will choose leaders who will address their issues rather than those who have personal agendas.
They cited Hon. Jim Muhwezi as an example, who made significant contributions to the advancements in Ruhinda Sub County.
Natukunda said that as residents of Ruhinda Sub County, they will not entertain politicians in their area who are sectarian but rather those who will solve their problems.
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According to Minister Jim Muhwezi, one of the fundamental principles of the NRM, in contrast to previous governments, was to bring all people together, irrespective of their ethnicity or religious beliefs.
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Minister Jim Muhwezi is in his constituency holding a community-based monitoring and accountability forum raising awareness of the duties of various levels of leadership and the progress of the NRM manifesto during this five-year term of office.
