Improving the education policy and the role of the local citizens and local leaders in improving the policy.

On 1^st September 2013, the local citizens and local leaders of Kabarole District discussed the education policy in Uganda and the roles of the local citizens and local leaders in improving the policy during the Orukurato program on HITS FM. “The government introduced Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education. Local citizens have the responsibility of sending their children to school and mobilizing the students so as to control school dropout. The local leaders should implement such government policies through sensitizing the public about the use of education”, said James Bond, a local citizen of East Division, Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District. 

       

The local citizens also talked about the contradicting curriculum in the education sector that is not innovative and produces job seekers than job makers.  “The education system in Uganda is contradictory. A curriculum comes and dies out such as the hand work lessons where students used to make baskets, mats and many other things. Today, there are many universities whereby graduands seeking for jobs are many yet the country gets people from outside countries to come and perform things like construction and building”, said Benjamin Kennedy, a local Citizen of West Division, Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District.     

Jesicah Alupo, Minister of Education and Sports

   

Mr. Businge Prosper a councilor LCV of West Division, Fort Portal Municipality, Kabarole District also explained the lack of proper  liberalization in the education policy. “Liberalization of education is not properly regulated, guided and implemented. That is why we have schools of politicians coming up, sounding and taking over ancient and government aided schools.  Such schools of politicians are even very expensive and in urban areas denying chance for the poor who are in villages to study from such schools”.  

Listeners were also able to participate in the program through call ins and using the SMS platform to raise their issues and contribution towards the discussion. “We have six (6) schools at Hakibaale Sub County but only sixteen (16) pupils came in first grade. Our Members of Parliament have not even bothered to intervene the issue”, said Mugisa Moses from Hakibaale Sub County, Kabarole District. “The government does not priorities major policies like education”, said Edward. “Technical committees no longer work in schools to consult teachers, parents and students so that better policies are implemented”, said   Kaijanabyo from Kyenjojo District.

The Orukurato Live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto. The live radio discussion which broadcasts issues of accountability is supported by Toro Development Network (ToroDev).