KABALE: Head teachers of Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools in Kabale municipality are increasingly alarmed by the growing trend of students migrating to private institutions, particularly those entering candidate classes.
David Magara, Deputy Head teacher overseeing academics at Kigezi High School Primary Lower, and Henry Mayanja, Head teacher of Bugongi Primary School, voiced their concerns, noting that proprietors of private schools often target high-performing pupils, especially those in candidate classes.
According to them, the proprietors entice students with promises of scholarships and other educational resources, ultimately impacting the academic performance of government schools.
They urge the government to establish clear policies governing student transfers between schools to curb this detrimental practice.
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In response, Moses Bwegye Tumwijukye, the Kabale District Education Officer, condemned such practices, highlighting the potential negative impact on a learner’s academic performance. He emphasized the challenges of adjusting to new environments and educators, which could hinder candidates’ achievements.
Tumwijukye pledged to launch an investigation into instances where students were lured by private school owners with promises of scholarships and educational materials, with the aim of taking appropriate action.
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The recently released Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results underscore the disparity, with 95.5 percent of students in private schools passing compared to 89.1 percent in UPE schools.
