Lupari: TFF not an excuse to neglect responsibilities

The tuition fee-free (TFF) policy is not an excuse for parents to neglect their responsibilities to their children, says Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari.
In a recent meeting with Education Department’s senior management as well as the Inter-Departmental Steering Committee on the TFF policy, Lupari said parents must ensure that their children take their studies seriously.
He said that education was one of the top priorities of the Government.
Lupari wants the Education Department’s senior management and Inter-Departmental Steering Committee on the TFF policy to work together to deliver educational services to children across the country.
In addressing the meeting, Lupari stressed the importance of making sure that quality education opportunity was accessed by children in rural settings as well.
“If there is an issue with a programme, put differences aside, get together and review the programme,” Lupari said. “We cannot pretend when something is wrong and it will disappear when ignored.”
Lupari called on the Inter-Departmental Steering Committee on TFF (ISCTFF) to work together and look at issues raised by citizens on the adverse effects of TFF.
“Do a cost-benefit analysis for the upcoming review of the TFF policy and let us work together to find ways to improve the policy,” he said.
Lupari will be calling a meeting in two weeks for heads of departments where he plans to urge them to support the work of the ISCTFF to not only monitor the implementation of the TFF but also other education programmes and projects, including the Christian Education and Ethics Curriculum that may be completed at the end of this year.
The Education Department is the largest employer in the public service with 800 staff and 58,000 teachers in 13,000 schools around the country.