Mukono District Chairperson, Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome, has met government secondary school head teachers from across the district and called for greater accountability, transparency, effective school management, and the protection of learners as part of efforts to improve education standards in Mukono District.
The meeting, held at the district headquarters, brought together headteachers, district education officials, members of the District Executive Committee, and other stakeholders to discuss challenges affecting the education sector and explore solutions aimed at improving learning outcomes.
Addressing the gathering, the Secretary for Education, Health and Gender and the Direct District Councillor for Nagojje Sub-county, Hon. Anna Lubulwa, reaffirmed the district’s commitment to ensuring that every child in Mukono has access to quality and affordable education.
Hon. Lubulwa highlighted several challenges affecting schools, including limited parental involvement, excessive school charges, political interference in school management, delayed submission of reports, sexual harassment, and unprofessional conduct among some teachers.
She urged headteachers to strengthen collaboration with parents and local communities to ensure learners remain in school and receive the support necessary for academic success.
“Government already supports education in many areas, including candidate registration. Schools should avoid imposing unnecessary financial burdens on parents and ensure that any additional contributions are agreed upon through proper consultation,” she said.
Hon. Lubulwa also warned against allowing political divisions to interfere with school management and called for zero tolerance towards sexual harassment and any form of misconduct in educational institutions.
She further expressed concern over cases of alcohol abuse among some teachers, emphasizing that educators must serve as role models and maintain the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
“As leaders, our responsibility is not only to identify problems but also to find solutions. We must work together to build schools that provide quality education and prepare our learners for a brighter future,” she added.
In his remarks, Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome urged headteachers to exercise wisdom when appointing School Management Committees (SMCs), emphasizing the need to select individuals who contribute positively to school development.
“As leaders, our responsibility is to build and promote our institutions, not to destroy them. Choose people who will help schools grow and achieve their objectives,” Hon. Lukooya said.
The District Chairperson reminded school administrators that government policy does not permit learners to be sent home because of unpaid school charges. He advised schools facing financial challenges to engage parents through dialogue and mutual agreement before introducing any additional contributions.
“Our leadership is meant to serve ordinary citizens, especially poor and vulnerable families. Every child deserves an opportunity to remain in school regardless of their family’s financial situation,” he emphasized.
Hon. Lukooya further called for accountability and transparency in the management of school resources, urging school leaders to ensure that parents can see tangible improvements resulting from any contributions made towards school development.
He also encouraged schools to maximize the use of available land by establishing sports academies and other income-generating projects that can support institutional growth and sustainability.
On matters of security, the District Chairperson advised schools to strengthen safety measures by employing competent security personnel and working closely with the RDC’s office and security agencies to protect learners, staff, and school property.
Speaking on behalf of the headteachers, Mr. Nathan Kigongo, Headteacher of St. Andrew’s Ndwaddemutwe Seed Secondary School, congratulated Hon. Lukooya upon his election as District Chairperson and commended him for engaging education stakeholders directly.
Mr. Kigongo described the district’s government secondary school headteachers as a dedicated and hardworking team committed to implementing government education programmes and ensuring that learners access affordable education.
He noted that schools work closely with boards, local leaders, and political leaders to make informed decisions but highlighted the challenge of inadequate staffing, which often forces schools to hire additional teachers using limited resources.
Meanwhile, the District Education Officer, Mr. Rashid Kikomeko, thanked Hon. Lukooya and the District Executive Committee for convening the meeting and creating an opportunity for constructive engagement between district leaders and education stakeholders.
Mr. Kikomeko expressed optimism that the continued collaboration would strengthen service delivery within schools and improve education standards throughout the district.
He further revealed that schools have established Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) to handle complaints and resolve disputes within school communities, promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance.
The meeting underscored Mukono District’s commitment to improving education standards through accountability, transparency, strong school leadership, and collaboration among stakeholders. Leaders emphasized the need to protect learners, strengthen parental involvement, eliminate misconduct, and ensure that schools remain accessible to all children regardless of their economic background.
District officials, headteachers, and education stakeholders pledged to continue working together to address challenges such as inadequate staffing, infrastructure gaps, and learner retention. Through collective effort and responsible leadership, Mukono District aims to create a conducive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, discipline, and sustainable development for future generations.
