KAGADI
Authorities in Kagadi District have arrested six school directors in an ongoing crackdown on private schools operating without valid licences, as enforcement of education regulations intensifies across the district.
The operation, led by district education officials in collaboration with security teams, targeted schools that had reportedly continued operating despite repeated warnings to comply with licensing requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The affected institutions include Nyaruziba SDA Nursery and Primary School, Nankulabye Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, Kitonzi Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, Elite Education Centre, City Light Nursery and Primary School, and Kurukuru Parents Nursery and Primary School.
According to officials, the schools were flagged during previous inspections and instructed to regularise their operations but failed to secure the necessary documentation. Authorities said the directors were arrested after the institutions were found still admitting learners without authorisation.
District education authorities said the crackdown is part of a wider campaign aimed at improving compliance and eliminating illegal schools operating outside government oversight. Officials noted that unlicensed institutions undermine efforts to maintain quality education standards and expose learners to unsafe learning conditions.
Education inspectors have previously highlighted concerns in some private schools, including poor classroom infrastructure, inadequate sanitation facilities, lack of proper registration documents, and the employment of unqualified staff. Authorities said such shortcomings are common among institutions that fail to meet licensing requirements.
Officials emphasised that licensing is a legal obligation designed to ensure schools meet minimum standards for teaching, safety, and administration before being allowed to operate. They warned that continued defiance of regulations would attract tougher enforcement measures.
The district estimates that more than 200 private schools in Kagadi are currently operating without full authorisation, prompting authorities to step up inspections and enforcement actions. Officials said several proprietors had been repeatedly warned but failed to comply.
Parents have been urged to confirm the registration status of schools before enrolling their children, with authorities cautioning that learners in unlicensed institutions risk sudden disruptions to their education due to closures or legal action.
The district leadership said the ongoing operation would continue until all schools in Kagadi are fully licensed and compliant with national education standards, stressing that the goal is to ensure safe and quality learning environments for all learners.
Torch Media Africa
