Education stakeholders urged to build schools that thrive beyond their founders

What the report says

Education leaders in eastern Uganda were urged to design schools that can remain strong after founders or head teachers leave, according to Watchdog Uganda. The remarks came from Sam Kuloba, a retired Commissioner for Secondary Schools in the education ministry, who spoke at the Stanbic Business Forum at Mount Elgon Hotel in Mbale on Tuesday.

Kuloba told stakeholders that opening a school is only the beginning, and that the harder task is keeping it financially and operationally stable over time. He said sustainable schools need stronger financial management, including realistic budgets, accurate accounting, transparent reporting and disciplined spending. He also encouraged school owners to diversify lawful income, use medium-term strategic plans, finish existing projects before starting new ones, and build partnerships that can support development.

He added that schools should not depend too heavily on the personality of one founder or leader. Instead, he said, long-term success requires professional management, accountability, succession planning, teamwork and responsible use of technology. He also stressed investment in teachers, arguing that better-supported educators improve learning outcomes and help build for the future.

Other speakers at the forum echoed the need for sustainability in education. Stanbic Bank representatives said the institution is willing to support school development beyond classrooms, while an education inspector in Mbale called for ongoing training for inspectors and stronger foundational learning. The discussion took place under the theme of building schools for a sustainable future, reflecting wider concerns about how private and community schools can remain viable in changing economic conditions.