Ugandan Education Ministry in a sector review workshop held recently has reported a decline in literacy rate despite millions of dollars injected in free education.
“59% of Primary Six pupils are not proficient in English speaking while 54% are not proficient in numeracy. This means that, more than half of the pupils in schools are not able to read and count.”
“The quality of education is an issue. Various assessments of student achievements at national and international level have concluded that many students do not acquire the minimum knowledge expected for their grade,” reads the report which was presented by the Director for Basic Education, Dr Yusuf Nsubuga.
According to the Education Permanent Secretary Ms Rose Nassali, the decline in skill performance was estimated at 36% from last year’s 48%, and numeracy proficiency was reduced to 41,4% from 45,2% in the same period.
The Ugandan Minister of Education has shared the same worries in the education sector saying the challenges to the situation are due to various factors which include teacher motivation and absenteeism of both teaching staff and of the pupils.
“Regardless of all the efforts, the sector has continuously recorded declining proficiency rates for both numerical and literacy at primary level and issues such as teacher motivation, ghost in the education system, inadequate school inspection stagnating capitation grants of UPE, absenteeism of head teachers, teachers and pupils are still challenges,” said Jessica Alupo, Ugandan Education Minister.
The education crisis in Rwanda has been declared a state of emergency and a source within the ministry who spoke to the paper on condition of anonymity said the ministry’s top management held a crisis meeting last week ahead of the sector’s review this week.
The Rwandan Education sector has has drawn criticism from development partners who has injected millions of dollars in the sector and they want the ministry to review its implementation modalities of current education policies to ensure that they don’t affect education quality like what is happening.
“A number of new reforms are being rolled out and there is an increasing pressure to improve existing programs so as to ensure quality education for the education. This then leads to the question how can we deal with this challenge with the declining envelop? Are we spreading ourselves too thin? asked Mr Donal Cronin, acting Ireland Ambassador to Uganda.
“There is need to explore the phasing of policy reforms, ensuring coordination and commitment to various departments, ministries, teachers, stakeholders and development partners,” he added.
According to the finance ministry in Uganda, education investment comes second after roads and according to this year’s budget roads have 19% and education will enjoy 13% share.
Comments
About Author
