KAMPALA, UGANDA — Wakiso District Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima has challenged the Ministry of Education and Sports to review its boarding school guidelines to ensure they address the realities of learners in rural and hard-to-reach areas, warning that some of the proposed measures may be more suitable for urban schools than communities facing geographical and educational challenges.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament, Naluyima appreciated the minister for presenting the guidelines but urged government to adopt a more practical approach that considers the different circumstances under which schools operate across the country.
The legislator argued that although the guidelines may appear appropriate on paper, their implementation could be difficult in areas where learners face long distances to access educational facilities. She called for policies that respond to the actual needs of pupils rather than relying on measures that may be difficult to implement in less-developed communities.
Naluyima specifically cited Bussi Sub-county in Wakiso District, where she said some pupils under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme travel long distances to reach learning centres. She questioned how such learners would be expected to cope with the existing arrangements, particularly where they are required to undertake examinations every week.
The MP urged the Minister of Education and Sports to engage relevant stakeholders and consider special interventions for communities with difficult terrain and inadequate access to functional UPE schools. She said government must establish practical alternatives that protect learners’ access to education without placing unnecessary burdens on children and their families.
She emphasised that education policies should take into account the circumstances of pupils who cannot easily travel to school, noting that geographical barriers and limited access to nearby learning facilities require deliberate government intervention.
Beyond accessibility, Naluyima raised concerns about the safety and management of boarding schools, calling for greater transparency regarding investigations into the fire outbreaks that have affected educational institutions. She questioned whether the minister had adequately consulted the Police to establish the causes of the incidents and identify possible failures in compliance with safety requirements.
The Wakiso legislator asked government to make police investigation reports available to parents and other stakeholders so that they can understand the circumstances surrounding school fires and take informed action against institutions that fail to meet the required safety standards.
She stressed that parents deserve clear information on whether schools are complying with established safety measures, arguing that access to official findings would help strengthen accountability among school administrators and proprietors.
Naluyima’s submission highlights two critical issues facing Uganda’s education sector: equitable access to learning for pupils in hard-to-reach communities and effective enforcement of safety standards in boarding schools. Her appeal places responsibility on the Ministry of Education and Sports to ensure that policies are not only well-designed but also practical, transparent and responsive to the needs of learners across the country.
