School Fees, Pregnancy and Poor Facilities Driving High Dropout Rates

What the report says

Educators in Uganda say a mix of financial strain, teenage pregnancy, weak school facilities and harsh learning environments is helping drive high dropout rates, especially among girls. The issue was discussed on Salam TV’s Omukeeze programme, where Rehemah Kisitu, headteacher of Mariam High School, pointed to school fees, stigma around pregnancy and other pressures that push learners out of class.

According to the report from Nile Post, Kisitu said girls who become pregnant often face isolation and limited support, making it harder for them to stay in or return to school. She also cited teacher-related challenges, gender expectations, long distances to school, hunger and poor infrastructure as additional reasons students leave education early. In some schools, she said, shared washrooms for boys and girls undermine privacy and dignity, particularly for girls.

Kisitu added that some school managers are unwilling to accommodate parents who delay paying fees, while some teachers create discouraging environments for learners. She said boys can also be affected when family responsibilities pull them into breadwinning at an early age. Beyond the classroom, she highlighted bullying, sexual abuse and other mental health pressures that can weaken retention.

She called for stronger guidance and counselling services and urged communities to support teenage mothers in returning to school. As broader context, Uganda has long faced education access and retention challenges linked to poverty, adolescent pregnancy and uneven school infrastructure, which can be especially severe in rural areas.