Bill seeks wealth declarations from non-teaching staff and stronger school audits

The National Assembly is considering a proposal to amend the Basic Education Act, 2013 to strengthen accountability in the management of school funds.

The Basic Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Sirisia MP John Waluke, is under pre-publication scrutiny by the Education Committee. If passed, the law will require non-teaching staff in schools to declare their income, assets, and liabilities, as well as those of their spouses and dependents.

Committee members said the move is aimed at curbing misuse of school funds, especially those meant for infrastructure. Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera said financial management in schools should be separated from teaching duties.

“Let the teacher be the teacher, teach and manage the academics, and we have a professional manager and a qualified administrator dealing with money, resources, and procurement,” Nabwera said.

Members Eve Obara and Mary Emaase also urged the Ministry of Education to put in place mechanisms to ensure bursars and other non-teaching staff are held accountable.

The Bill also seeks to align school audits with the Public Audit Act. However, committee analysis noted that both the Basic Education Act and the Public Finance Management Act already provide frameworks for audit and financial management in schools, including penalties for misuse.

During the session chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, the Committee also engaged the Office of the Auditor General on past audit reports covering development funds in technical institutions and public schools, including the National School Upgrading Program and primary school infrastructure projects.