The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Party has asked the government to switch from the free market economy and adapt the Mixed Economic System. According to the UPC, a mixed economic model will help check the activities of the private sector which lays too much emphasis on profit.

The call comes as government moves to draft a policy to regulate the school fees structure in privately owned schools.

The UPC Party Spokesperson Sharon Oyat Arach says private school owners inflate school fees, which has affected access to education for all.

Addressing the media at the weekly press conference at the UPC party headquarters on Uganda House in Kampala, the Uganda People’s Congress party has asked the government to abandon the free market economy based on supply and demand with little or no government control.

The UPC is calling for a mixed economic system which allows the governments to intervene in economic activities. UPC cites the case of school fees and other requirements where schools ask of parents. UPC says this is exploitation.

UPC urged the government to clarify its programme of upgrading teachers colleges and the implementation of a policy shift to have Grade III teachers for pre-primary and primary schools hold the minimum qualification of a university degree. They asked the government to sponsor the teachers to upgrade since majority of teachers cannot afford to pay for degree courses with their salaries.

Ultimately, the UPC is asking the government to prioritize enhancing salaries for the Primary school teachers and the Arts and Humanities teachers in secondary schools in the budget for the 2023/2024 financial year, to avoid any industrial action.