Statement on Public Secondary Education in Uganda to UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

BARRIERS TO PUBLIC SECONDARY EDUCATION IN UGANDA

Uganda guarantees 13 years of free primary (7 years) and secondary education (6 years) for all children.
Despite the introduction of Universal Secondary Education (USE) in Uganda in 2007, access to quality
secondary education remains a challenge. Several factors hinder the provision of free, quality public
secondary education, including inadequate infrastructure due to limited government funding (government allocates UGX 56,000 (USD 15) per student enrolled under the USE program annually in capitation grants), insufficient resources such as teaching materials such as books, and challenges related to implementation such as school inspection.

Besides underfunding in USE-funded schools, which undermines the quality of education, significant barriers such as unsafe environments continue to inhibit the enrolment and retention of girls in school. Many schools lack separate restrooms and sanitary facilities, such as water. This, coupled with poverty and harmful gender social norms, leadsto the prioritisation of sons’ education over daughters, contributing to girls dropping out of school. Girls are more likely to marry underage if they drop out of school and become pregnant.

Children with disabilities face various barriers, including inaccessible infrastructure and limited specialised
teachers. Children in remote areas walk long distances to schools, navigate impassable, flooded, unsafe
roads exposing them to risks of rape and other sexual violence. Migrant and refugee children face language barrier problems, disrupting their education. Across all groups, the psychosocial strain of poverty, displacement, or trauma undermines school attendance and learning outcomes.

Contact: Brian Mutebi | GNBU Steering Committee| bmutebi@edouganda.org | +256701378219