By Karim Were
The directive comes as Uganda prepares for the reopening of third term on September 14, 2026.
KAMPALA — The Ministry of Education and Sports has directed school administrators to stop sending learners home over unpaid fees, warning that the practice traumatises children and affects their concentration in class.
Permanent Secretary Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda said schools should not use learners to compel parents to pay fees, noting that the practice undermines the objectives of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE). She made the remarks at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association of Secondary School Head Teachers of Uganda (ASSHU) in Lira City on Thursday.
The directive comes as schools prepare for the third term of the 2026 academic year, which is scheduled to begin on September 14. The ministry has also cautioned parents and school administrators against relying on unverified information about the school calendar.
Protecting learners’ right to education
The ministry’s position places the welfare of learners at the centre of school administration, particularly where financial difficulties affect families’ ability to meet school expenses.
Dr Turyagyenda’s warning means that schools should address fee-related challenges through communication with parents and appropriate administrative procedures rather than making learners bear the consequences. The ministry has previously emphasised the importance of maintaining access to education under UPE and USE.
The issue also highlights the importance of cooperation between schools and parents. While schools require resources to operate, the ministry’s directive stresses that learners should not be used as leverage in fee collection.
Third term reopening date confirmed
The ministry has reaffirmed that third term for pre-primary, primary and secondary schools will start on Monday, September 14, 2026, and run for 82 days until Friday, December 4, 2026.
The clarification followed reports circulating on social media suggesting that schools would instead reopen in October. Ministry spokesperson Dr Dennis Mugimba said the September 14 date remains consistent with the official 2026 school calendar issued to education institutions.
The ministry has directed schools following the national curriculum to seek written authorisation from the Permanent Secretary before deviating from the approved calendar.
Measures to ease congestion
To reduce traffic congestion during the movement of learners, boarding schools in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area have been directed to stagger reporting and closing dates over two to three days.
The measure applies to schools in Kampala, Wakiso, Mpigi and Mukono districts. The ministry said the arrangement is intended to ease congestion commonly experienced at the beginning and end of school terms.
Practical learning gains momentum
The ministry’s education agenda also includes efforts to improve the quality of learning through practical science education.
On August 17, 2026, the ministry facilitated training for science teachers from 15 UPE schools in Tororo Municipality. The training, supported by River Flow International, focused on the use of primary science kits, commonly known as mini-laboratories, to deliver hands-on and learner-centred lessons.
The initiative is part of efforts to strengthen science education from the primary level by enabling learners to observe, explore, experiment and apply scientific concepts using teaching aids.
A wider focus on education quality
The ministry has also reported progress in public library services, including the reinstatement of the Public Libraries Conditional Grant and digital-skills training for 40 librarians, ICT officers and records officers from 20 local governments.
These interventions form part of the ministry’s broader mandate to provide quality education and sports services, while supporting national development through improved learning opportunities and skills development.
What parents and schools should know
Parents should rely on official ministry announcements when planning for the new term, while school administrators are expected to follow the approved academic calendar and avoid unauthorised changes.
The ministry’s warning on fees also calls for schools to handle financial challenges without disrupting learners’ education. The emphasis remains on keeping children in school and ensuring that financial difficulties do not become a barrier to their learning.
**Source: Ministry of Education and Sports; Cybernewsug
