By Tugume Muzafaru – Rubirizi District
RUBIRIZI – Kicwamba High School management has dismissed allegations that the institution charges students up to Shs800,000 in school fees, describing the claims as false, malicious and misleading, following an engagement meeting with Rubirizi District officials, local leaders and security agencies.
The meeting brought together the school administration, representatives of parents, the Board of Governors and district leadership to address concerns raised by some members of the community over the school’s fee structure and other matters relating to its operations.
The engagement followed complaints reportedly presented to the Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Balam Barugahara, by some residents alleging that Kicwamba High School was charging as much as Shs800,000 per student. The minister subsequently directed district officials to intervene, engage the school management and submit a report on the matter.
However, school management rejected the allegations, insisting that the figures being circulated do not reflect the institution’s actual fee structure. The meeting resolved that there would be no reduction in the current school fees, which management said are determined by the school’s operational requirements and the services provided to learners.
Officials also clarified that Kicwamba High School is not a seed school, as some members of the public reportedly believe, but rather a grant-aided government institution. They further explained that government funds intended for the construction of a seed school in the area were transferred to Magambo Seed School and not Kicwamba High School.
According to the school’s management, the institution has not received government funding for the construction of buildings, including classroom blocks and sanitation facilities. Management maintained that ongoing infrastructure developments at the school are being financed through contributions from parents, including efforts to complete a stalled three-classroom block.
The fee structure presented during the engagement indicates that day scholars in Senior One and Senior Two pay Shs195,000 alongside one bag of cement, while boarding students in Senior One to Senior Three pay Shs497,500 plus one bag of cement. Boarding students in Senior Four and Senior Five pay Shs640,000, whereas Senior Six candidates pay Shs680,000.
Management also explained that candidate classes have additional contributions of Shs50,000 for optional study trips and Shs50,000 for two sets of mock examinations. Parents also contribute towards meals provided to learners, which include rice, matooke, meat, beans, millet porridge and milk porridge.
Explaining the financial demands facing the institution, school management said the fees contribute towards paying teachers’ salaries and meeting other operational expenses. Kicwamba High School reportedly has 103 privately employed teachers and support staff, in addition to 13 teachers on the government payroll, placing a significant financial responsibility on the school and parents.
The school management further accused some individuals, including people claiming to be education stakeholders and local politicians, of using the fee controversy to advance personal interests and political ambitions. It described the allegations as politically motivated blackmail and challenged anyone with evidence of excessive or unlawful charges to present it to the school administration.
Management said it remains open to parents and other stakeholders with genuine concerns, encouraging them to seek clarification directly from the school office instead of relying on rumours and information circulating within the community.
The institution reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality education and serving the surrounding community, while appealing to residents to support its development and disregard information it considers malicious and intended to damage its reputation.
The engagement was attended by the Rubirizi District LC5 Chairperson, Resident District Commissioner (RDC), district education officials, District Internal Security Officer (DISO), District Auditor, District Speaker, representatives from the Chief Administrative Officer’s office, security agencies, the Board of Governors, school administration and the Parents-Teachers Association executive committee.
District officials and the school’s Board of Governors also resolved to meet Hon. Balam Barugahara and brief him on the outcomes of the engagement, following his directive for the district to investigate the complaints and report back.
