EDUCATION AND SPORT

Universal Primary Education

Before the introduction of the UPE programme in 1997, the pupil enrolment in the District was 66,250 in the Government Grant Aided schools. As at the end of 2008, enrolment in the government grant aided Primary schools was 154,497 (which is 133 % growth) compared to the enrolment in 1997.

In 1997, the number of government grant aided primary schools was 173. As of end of 2008, they are now 258 government grant aided primary schools. (Non government Primary schools are 144)

UPE increases pupil enrollment by 136.6%
Since the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme was introduced in 1997, the pupil enrolment in the district has increased from 66,250 to 158,065 pupils in the Government Grant Aided primary schools by 138.6 %.
There are a total of 38 secondary schools benefiting from USE in the district, of which 18 are government grant-aided while 20 are private/community owned.

As at the beginning of 2010, in the 38 secondary schools, a total of 18,789 (10,295males and 8494 females) are directly benefiting from USE.

Before the introduction of the UPE programme in 1997, the pupil enrolment in the district was 66,250 in the Government Grant Aided primary schools. And at the beginning of 2010, enrolment in the government grant aided Primary schools was 158,065 (138.6 % increase in enrollment) and 18,476 pupils in private primary schools.

· In 1997, the number of government grant aided primary schools was 173. As at the beginning of 2010, they are now 258 government grant aided primary schools.
· From 2006/07 to date a total of 1,973 classrooms have been built under SFG; the classroom to pupil ratio is 1:81, desk pupil ratio is 1:8, Teacher to pupil ratio is 1:52, Latrine stance to pupil ratio is 1:74. The situation is improving compared to the past but still wanting because of the ever increasing enrollment under the UPE programme.

Secondary Education Sub-Sector

There are a total of 34 secondary schools benefiting from Universal Secondary Education (USE) in the District; of these 18 are government grant aided and 16 are Private/Community owned. As at the beginning of 2009, in the 34 Secondary Schools, the total enrollment was 14,824 (7,929 males and 6,895 females) directly benefiting from USE.

A laboratory has been built and equipped at St. Theresa Girls Secondary School and a library was also built and stocked with text books at the School.

The 18 secondary schools benefiting from USE have been receiving science equipment (laboratory equipment / chemicals) for the teaching of science on an annual basis.

So far, five (5) secondary schools (Kilembe S.S, Kasese S.S, Saad S.S, St Theresa Girls S.S and Bwera S.S. ) have been supported with computers the cyber technology solution ( digital science teaching) for boosting science and mathematics teaching.

There are a total of 38 secondary schools benefiting from USE in the district; of these 18 are government grant aided and 20 are Private/Community owned. As at the beginning of 2010, in the 38 secondary schools, a total of 18,789 (10,295males and 8494 females) are directly benefiting from USE;
· During this period, one laboratory was built and equipped at St. Theresa Girls Secondary School.
· A library was also built and stocked with text books at St. Theresa Girls Secondary School.
· The 18 secondary schools benefiting from USE have, on an annual basis, been receiving science equipment (laboratory equipment / chemicals) for the teaching of science.
· Under the Cyber Computers Technology solution digital science, five secondary schools so far have been supported with computers. These schools are - Kilembe SSS, Kasese SSS, Saad SSS, St Theresa Girls SSS and Bwera SSS. However, only Bwera S.S. is internet connected and the remaining 13 Government aided secondary schools have not yet benefited.

Tertiary Education Sub -Sector
· A laboratory and a staff house have been constructed at Bwera primary Teachers College.
· Kasese Youth Polytechnic: The teaching staff has been posted to the district. The Principal of the Polytechnic reported in the district and the process of Construction of the Community Polytechnic is on- going.

University Quota System

Since the quota system started, every year, eleven (11) students from Kasese District are admitted in Ugandan public Universities. So far a total of 35 students have benefited.

In addition, other tertiary institutions like Bugema University, Makerere University Centre for Continuing Education have established study centres in the District.

Education indicators

As at August 2009.

Number of Nursery and Primary Schools 2009 ............419
Government Aided Primary Schools 2009................... 258
Privately owned P/S 2009..........................................117
Privately owned Nursery 2009.................................... .44
Number of S.S.S schools.......................................... .66
Government Aided SSS............................................ .18
Privately owned SSS................................................ .48
Tertiary Institutions.................................................... 12
Government Aided................................................... ...3
Privately owned...........................................................9
No. of teachers......................................................2993
Males...................................................................1904
Females...............................................................1089
More teachers are still required to uplift the teacher pupils ratio.

Primary schools Indicators

1. There are a total of 349 primary schools in the District of these 258 are government grant aided, 44 are community and 47 private by nature. 
2. Total enrolment in Primary school at the end of 2007 was 149,814 (males – 73,642 and females - 76,176). The teachers were 2,997 (M - 1,839 and F – 1158). This makes a teacher to pupil ratio of 1:50
3. The current classroom pupil ratio is at 1:89.
4. The desk pupil ratio of 1:8.
5. The latrine coverage in primary schools stands at 1,460 stance against 149,814; pupils giving a stance pupils ratio of 1:120.
6. We still have inadequate housing of teachers in the District and this has negatively affected academic performance in our schools.  The most affected areas are the hard- to-reach regions of the lake regions and mountainous areas, which don’t have learned indigenous people joining the teaching profession.
7. There were a total of 18,199 orphans and 4,748 children with disabilities in primary school. 
8. There is significant drop out of school that has been observed. For example; in 2002, the enrolment in P.1 was 20,884 for boys and 20,433 for girls. In 2005, when they should be in class four, the enrolment had dropped to 16,951 boys and 15,965 for girls. A net drop of 4,133 boys and 4,468 girls.

Developments and Innovations in the Education Sector

The Local Government Development Programme (LDGP) and education
With financial support under LDGP, these have been achieved in the Education sector:
- A total of 48 classrooms were built in various primary schools.
- Three low cost staff houses were built at Buhatiro PS in Ihandiro, Kithobira PS in Kitholhu and Nyakanengo PS in Kyabarungira)
- A total of 2,499 three-sitter desks were distributed to various primary schools improving the sitting ratio. In total therefore an additional 7,497 pupils are now seated.
- A total of 144 latrine stances were built in various schools.
- An assortment of laboratory equipment was supplied to the secondary schools of Ihandiro, Nyakiyumbu and Mukokya sub counties.
- The construction in phases of the Hamukungu SS girls’ dormitory was started and it is near completion.