The Parents and all Stakeholders of Mbale High School have made resolution to continue paying a voluntary contribution of Shs80,000 per learner to sustain the school's operations once the Government lifts the suspension on Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) collections in Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools.
The resolution was passed during the school's Annual General Meeting (AGM) over the weekend on Saturday, with parents citing the need to maintain services that are under funded by the Government.
The development comes after President Museveni, through the Minister of Local Government and other government agencies, directed the immediate suspension of voluntary PTA contributions in government-aided USE schools pending further guidance.
Addressing during the meeting, head teacher Stephen Wambalo said the school has a growing enrolment with limited resources, 5,681 students, 62 teachers on the Government payroll, and 70 teachers facilitated by the school management, the salaries are largely financed through parent's contributions.
"The contributions have supported school development projects, learners' welfare, staff welfare, and the payment of salaries and wages for teachers and support staff who are not on the Government payroll," Wambalo said.
He added that the school is grappling with inadequate staffing and infrastructure, limited land for expansion, a shortage of classrooms and laboratories, and insufficient staff accommodation.
PTA chairperson Maliki Namisi thanked parents for approving the resolution, saying their decision of putting the fees from shs100,000 to Sh80,000 demonstrated confidence in the school's management and commitment to sustaining learning despite financial constraints.
Honorable Steven Masiga the spokesperson of Inzu ya Masaba cultural Institution and one of board members welcomed the resolution and said that school will forward the resolutions to the relevant authorities for consideration once the Government provides guidance on the suspended PTA contributions.
He added that Schools depend on parents contributions for smooth running of the program's.
Kevin Namutosi One of parent, said discontinuing the contributions would directly affect dozens of teachers who are not on Government payroll.
"If we stop supporting the school, more than 70 teachers will lose their jobs. We should continue contributing because these teachers also have families that depend on them," she said.
Another parent, identified as Musa, called for stronger measures to address insecurity around schools, saying clashes involving students from different schools had become a growing concern.
Board of Governors chairperson Walyaula Nathan Mukhwana also raised concern over what he described as continued interference by officials from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and other government agencies regarding the collection of school fees.
He said the alleged harassment of the head teacher had disrupted the school's administration.
Mbale City Mayor Joyce Kidulu Matuka urged parents to remain committed to supporting their children's education, saying the greatest beneficiaries of academic success are families themselves.
Mbale Northern City Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner Were Yahaya appealed to parents to take greater responsibility for monitoring their children's conduct and to work closely with schools and security agencies in addressing indiscipline.
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