CAN WE EXPECT VALUE FOR MONEY FOR THE 90 SCHOOLS TO BE EXPANDED?

You can get excited over the funding to construct structures in 90 Schools, however, until such structures are complete can you make the right comments. We are aware that many buildings under the SFG cannot live the expected life due to a number of reasons which make the workmanship poor.
We should pray that this time around a miracle happens.
William Kituuka
90 SCHOOLS TO GET FUNDS FOR EXPANSION
Wednesday, 6th April, 2011
By CONAN BUSINGYE
and RUTH NAKAYIMA
THE Government has released sh7b for the construction of structures in 90 secondary schools in the country.
The funds are part of the funding from the World Bank, and the release is for the first batch under phase one.
In this phase, 217 schools are to benefit under the World Bank support, meant for Universal Post Primary Education and Training Project.
The implementation of this programme requires construction of facilities including classrooms, libraries, multipurpose science rooms, teachers’ houses as well as sanitation and hygiene facilities.
The released monies will cater for 50% of the contract sum allocated to each school in the first batch.
The remaining 50% shall be released after accountability for at least 75% of the first installment release, according to the ministry of education.
The funds, according to the project’s communications officer, Fortunate Ahimbisibwe, have already been channeled directly by the ministry to Universal Secondary Education School Bank Accounts.
“The construction of facilities is expected to commence immediately,” he added.
More releases for the beneficiary schools shall be dispatched upon receipt of duly signed contracts approved by the Solicitor General.
“The schools’ authorities are urged to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the construction commences smoothly according to the issued Plan for construction of School Facilities, drawings and School Layout Plans and Bills of Quantities,” he added.
The construction is part of a 10-year project jointly funded by the World Bank and the Government of Uganda.
The first phase of the project will cost US$150m over a three-year period ending in 2012.
The World Bank has also provided sh287b for the second phase and sh230b for the third phase ending in 2018.
Under the project, a total of 4,297 new classrooms, 41 administrative blocks, 144 libraries, 405 science rooms, 71 teachers’ houses, and 2,296 five-stance latrines will be constructed.
A total of 1,864 incomplete classrooms will be completed.
The construction of facilities is to be managed through a decentralised school based approach.
Under this approach, the responsibility for procurement of works and goods is delegated to School Boards of Governors with technical support from the education ministry.
The School level Management Committees were trained in August 2010 on how to handle school based procurements of works.
The project is part of the strategic development plan to support Universal Post Primary Education and Training in the country.
It is aimed at increasing access, improving quality and enhancing efficiency of post primary education in the country.