As Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party turns 63, Jimmy Akena who doubles as the president of the party and Member of Parliament representing Lira City East constituency in the 11th Parliament bashes NRM government for sinking the education and health system in the country.
While addressing reporters in the weekly press conference at Uganda House based party headquarters in Kampala, Akena said that the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs are underfunded by government and this leads to poor quality of the output products.
‘’The objective of availing quality education to everyone, everywhere in the country can’t be realized, therefore parents with financial muscle have opted for private schools in the quest for better services for their children while the poor families are at the mercy of God.’’ Akena said.
He further said that the many youth who pass through this education system can’t compete favorably in the global economy because of the poor quality skills they get from schools and institutions of higher learning.
“ Uganda’s youthful people can’t compete very well else were in the world for jobs say in China, India or Europe because our education system doesn’t prepare them for the future.’’ He said.
He adds, “there e need to revisit the concept of free schooling if government is to improve on the education system because the vulnerable poor doesn’t benefit much. For instance the government loan scheme is mostly benefiting the well to do people.
’’Meanwhile, Akena revealed to journalist that his party is in final stages of the preparations for holding its National Council where members will debate on a workable proposition to tackle the underlying reasons for Youth unemployment and underemployment, Labor export, Food Security and Uganda’s comparative advantage in agriculture.
By George Bukenya