The government is set to embark on a nationwide headcount of primary school pupils to establish the actual number of learners enrolled in schools. This initiative aims to ensure that funds allocated for education are accurately distributed based on verified enrollment figures.
This statement was made by the Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, the State Minister for Finance, during his appearance before the Parliamentary Committee on Education on April 4, 2025. He revealed that the exercise would be led by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
According to Hon. Lugoloobi, there is a critical need for accurate data to support budget proposals and eliminate potential inconsistencies in the reported pupil enrollment figures.
“We believe some of these numbers of pupils are possibly not correct, and the census will help us fund these schools depending on the actual numbers,” Hon. Lugoloobi stated.
He added that the headcount is expected to begin soon and will play a critical role in shaping future education budgets.
In the same parliamentary session, Hon. Lugoloobi dispelled rumors about taxing public schools, assuring lawmakers that no such policy is in place.
’’Policy making follows a clear process of cabinet approval and publication, but we have no such policy at this time,” he clarified.
Hon. Lugoloobi also addressed the ongoing issue of salary inequalities between science teachers, arts teachers, and head teachers. He revealed that the government currently lacks the financial resources to align wages across these groups.
“There is no money to harmonize the wages between science teachers and arts teachers and head teachers,” he told Members of Parliament, leaving unresolved tensions over pay equity within the education sector.
The upcoming headcount highlights the government’s commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in education funding.
By confirming pupil numbers, officials aim to tackle concerns over inflated or erroneous enrollment data that could lead to misallocation of resources, paving the way for a more equitable and efficient allocation of funds.
