It's no secret that the Universal Primary and Secondary Education in Uganda is another failed program of the government. Any parent who wants their child to receive a decent education opts for private schools and this means that they have to part with a hefty amount of money for school fees. However, that is not all, aside from paying school fees a parent is subjected to other fees that include but are not limited to swimming fees, scout fees, ballet dance, trip fees to mention but a few.

As the year closes, it is a norm that the children have to end the term with a concert, the parents again have to pay to watch their children perform. These concerts usually take place in theatres or hired venues, sometimes with guest celebrities, the parents have to purchase or hire the costumes their children don. On average a theatre ticket costs Ugx 20,000/= approximately 6 USD per head to watch one's child perform for less than 10 minutes.

As if this is not enough, the parent also has to pay for an end of year party or Christmas party as the schools prefer to call it.

Which makes one wonder what happened to the good old days when school concerts were held at the school auditorium and the parents had a day to interact and network within the confines of the school.

Unfortunately, most private schools lack basic amenities like auditoriums, sports grounds, swimming pools and have to outsource for these facilities at a fee, as is the case with businesses, it's the end user to foot this burden, in this case, the parents.

Ministry of Education is to blame for allowing such schools to operate minus the basic requirements, how can one license a kindergarten or school that does not have a playground? Extracurricular activities are very important for a Child's growth.

In typical Ugandan style, parents will continue to pay as they complain and grumble but none is willing to withdraw their children from such schools. The few schools that have these amenities are international schools whose fees the average parent cannot afford.