Summary:
- Minister Musasizi noted that the total approved budget for capitation grants for the 2024/25 financial year is Shs490.298 billion.
KAMPALA: The Minister of State for Finance, Henry Musasizi, has attributed delays in some public schools receiving capitation grants to their failure to validate student enrollment numbers, as required by the Ministry of Education.
Minister Musasizi made these remarks on Wednesday in response to concerns raised by Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West), who urged the Government to explain the delay in remitting capitation grants to some educational institutions, which he said had hindered the reopening of certain schools for Term Three.
“This delay stems from discrepancies identified by the Ministry of Education and Sports in the online education management system data submitted by headteachers. The Ministry wants to ensure that enrollment numbers are not inflated. As of now, 113 local governments have been cleared to transfer capitation grants to their respective institutions, while the remaining ones have been reminded to submit updated enrollment figures before they can be cleared for payment,” Minister Musasizi explained.
Minister Musasizi noted that the total approved budget for capitation grants for the 2024/25 financial year is Shs490.298 billion.
“In the first quarter, the Ministry of Finance released Shs163.433 billion to local governments to cater for Term Three. However, despite this release, the Ministry of Education requested that accounting officers of local governments and KCCA withhold transferring these funds until the schools have validated their enrollment figures”. Minister Musasizi noted.
Moriku Kaducu, the Minister of State for Primary Education, confirmed the situation, stating that the Ministry of Education had issued a directive to all head teachers to verify student enrollment through a headcount and submit the information in writing. This was done to cross-check the numbers with the Ministry’s records.
“I can confirm that this verification process has taken place due to previous disparities. On 9th September 2024, the Ministry of Education permitted payment to 113 local governments after successful verification. As of 18th September 2024, 158 local governments have been cleared to disburse funds to their respective schools, based on verified enrollment figures,” Minister Kaducu said.
She also acknowledged challenges in accurately capturing data for learners, particularly in primary schools, and committed to increasing sensitization efforts among head teachers to improve data accuracy.
“Local governments that have not yet submitted their verification documents will be cleared as soon as we receive the necessary headcount information. So far, 158 out of 177 local governments have been cleared. By 30th September 2024, we aim to have all local governments cleared and all schools receiving their funds. We will continue to raise awareness among schools about the importance of accurate data for planning and financial purposes. While we recognize challenges in primary schools in entering data into the software, we are making progress in sensitizing and improving data management,” Kaducu concluded.
