Leaders Discover 2,520 Ghost Pupils In Public Schools

Posted by: lukwago J in Uganda news May 17, 2023

Residents in Bukomansimbi district have discovered a total of close to 2,520 ghost pupils in primary schools.

The ghost pupils were discovered during an inspection of public schools by the district leaders led Mr Kalema Fred who is the Deputy Resident Commissioner in companionship with the Mr Shafik Mwanje the district National Resistance Movement chairperson.

According to the preliminary investigation by both leaders in guidance with the police administrators of schools connived with the district education officer Mr Patrick Zziwa and the Mr Fred Mutebi the inspector of schools to inflate the enrolment numbers.

Meanwhile in an interview with Mr Twaha Kasirye the southern region police spokesperson, said the two officials recorded statements with the police over the matter.

This matter begun in 2019 at Kyamabaale primary school where the school head claimed to have close to 364 pupils but following a head count, it revealed that there were only 107 learners.

They were told to inflate the enrollment numbers

In addition St Andrew’s primary School, Kayanja was found to have only 157 pupils though official school records indicated that there were around 423 learners at the Institution.

Earlier the headteacher of Makoomi primary school told the RDC that they were told by officials in the district education department to inflate the enrollment numbers so as to enable them get enough money to run the school.

“ Please don’t arrest me. Let me tell you the truth. It’s true we have few pupils in the school but our bosses in the district education department are the ones who told us to write ghost pupils so that when the money comes we share it with them,” Mr Kityo said.

Mr Zziwa said he was surprised to learn of ghost pupils and asked the RDC to give him time to make investigations in all public schools and later will submit a report to him.

“ It’s not true that we are in connivance with school heads, let everyone carry his/her own cross,”he said.
Meanwhile the creation of ghost pupils according to the ministry of finance estimates around $11 million (Shs 41 billion )annually.

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