The State Minister of Finance in charge of general duties Henry Musasizi Ariganyira has said that government will continue to invest in the education sector despite the current closure of schools due to COVID-19.
Musasizi who is aslo the Rubanda East Member Of Parliament was speaking at Nyaruhanga High school in Rubanda District on a ceremony to handover a Shs300 million construction project that was funded by the Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry through the Rubanda District Local Government, contracted Geses Uganda Limited to work on the completion of a multipurporse hall for general assemblies and examinations for candidate students, partial rehabilitation of four class rooms and construction of two V.I.P latrines at Nyaruhanga High School in December last year.
Minister Musasizi said there was a section of people who criticized government for continuing to spend on empty schools since children were not using the structures. However, he noted that Government would continue to invest in the education sector arguing that “COVID-19 is not here to stay” like many people have been saying.
Mussasizi also referred to his recent appearance before the Parliamentary committee on National Economy where he was tasked to defend government’s proposal to borrow up to USD 90 million from IDA of World Bank Group.
According to the Minister, the loan is supposed to finance the Uganda Secondary School Education Expansion project which will enhance access to lower secondary education in line with the government decision to construct a secondary school in each subcounty. At least 108 schools are expected to be constructed in the program.
Musasizi asked parents to trust in government’s decisions about the education sector and ensure that all students eligible are vaccinated to prepare for the re-openning of schools in January next year.
While speaking at the Handover ceremony, the Chairperson Board of Governors Nyaruhanga High School Godwin Kakama told the Minister that the school was in need of furniture since most of the chairs and tables were old and broken. At 40 years, Nyaruhanga High School is the oldest secondary school in Rubanda District.
The Rubanda District LC.5 Chairperson Stephen Kasyaba commended the Ministry of Finance for the work done at Nyaruhanga High School. He pledged support and called for unified efforts among the district leadership if they are to witness more projects of the same nature in the area.
Meanwhile, the Haedteacher Nyaruhanga High School Robert Katebarirwe applauded the Contractor, Geses Uganda for completing the construction project without any cases of showddy work. Katebarirwe aslo called for more investment in the school that has an enrollment of about 600 students.
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