Primary and secondary schools in Kampala funded by Government have welcomed the new capitation grant payment system saying it ensures timely and regular release of funds.
This week, Government announced a new system for disbursing capitation grants to schools. Patrick Muinda, Assistant Commissioner Communication in the Ministry of Education, says under the new system the district requisitions the funds on the behalf of the schools. Muinda explains that the new system is aimed at streamlining the disbursement of funds to the respective schools.
With the new system, districts will receive money from Bank of Uganda on behalf of the schools. The districts will then disburse appropriated funds to schools within the district according to the number of pupils/students reported to be in a school.
According to the ministry, government provides Shillings 10,000 for each pupil under Universal Primary Education. Those under Universal Secondary Education are allocated 41,000 and 85,000 Shillings for Ordinary and Advanced level respectively.
In the past, the Ministry would request for the money from the central bank and disburse it directly to school accounts.
Jane Kansiime, head teacher KCCA Primary School in Kamwokya describes the new system as fantastic. "We get the money on time compared to the old system," she adds.
Kansiime explains that with the old system, at times money came late and it was hard to know whether it has been deposited or not.
Edward Kanoonya, head teacher Kololo Senior Secondary School, says that with the new system following up on issues is easy.
Ketty Wekwale, Deputy Headmistress East Kololo Primary School, says that the new system enables district leaders to be informed about what is happening in schools. "District leaders are the ones that carry out head counts in schools and this helps fight inconsistencies about numbers of pupils and money received," she says.
