Ugandans React After Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traore Makes Education Free For All Citizens

Burkina Faso's recent pronouncement of free education for all citizens, plus the provision of free textbooks for primary school children, has attracted a lot of controversy and mixed reactions among Ugandans.

The majority of Ugandans are asking themselves about what it would take for the government to do what Burkina Faso president Ibrahim Traore just did.

Despite Burkina Faso's implementation of free education, Uganda also has a free education version which is the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE).

Uganda introduced Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1997 with the aim of providing free primary education to all children. The policy increased enrollment from 3.1 million pupils in 1996 to 8.4 million in 2013.

Photo: UPE school in Uganda

However, the program has been plagued by numerous challenges since its introduction. A 2015 report indicated that close to 70% of children would most likely be out of school before the seven-year primary cycle was over.

Factors behind this high dropout rate are the unaccounted costs of uniforms, school materials, and lunch, which cannot be afforded by most poor families. Poor infrastructure, lack of motivation in teachers, and socio-cultural factors have also contributed to the failure of the program.

With Burkina Faso's renewed enthusiasm for free education, Ugandans are now debating the success of their own UPE program.

Others believe that Burkina Faso might take a lesson or two from Uganda so that they do not repeat the same. 

Others suggest a return and strengthening of Uganda's education policy so that free education translates to quality learning and better retention.

As a Ugandan citizen, what is your opinion regarding this recent development by Burkina Faso. Feel free to drop your comment below on your thoughts.