Primary Education in Uganda

Uganda was the first country in East Africa to introduce UPE in 1997, offering free schooling for four children in every family.   This increased school enrolment dramatically from less than 3 million in 1997 to 6.8 million in 2003, rising to about 7.4 million in 2004.  The figure has then stabilized at about 7.2 million in 2005, as the problem of over age learners has been contained.

The gross enrolment rates have gone down from 132 per cent in 2000 to 118 per cent in 2005, with 119 per cent and 117 per cent for boys and girls.  Similarly, the net enrolment has improved from 86.5 per cent in 2000 - 99.8 per cent for boys and 82.3 per cent girls to 93.01 per cent in 2005, comprising 95.6 per cent for boys and 92.4 per cent for girls.

The gross enrolment rates have improved from 128 per cent in 2000 to 118 per cent in 2005, with girls recording the best improvement.  The net enrolment rate has also been steadily raising, from 85.5 per cent in 2000 to 95 per cent in 2005.  The implication of this is that there are more children aged between, 6-12 enrolled in primary schools.

Although the number of qualified teachers rose to 99.6 per cent in 2002, the figure went down to 93 per cent in 2003 and 92 per cent in 2004. Similarly, the pupil-teacher ratio has come down, now standing at 51:1.