Well-Intended UPE Policy and the Failure in its Implementation

The UPE Policy introduced in 1997 was a good initiative. It grew enrollment over the years to the current slightly over 2 million every year. The policy looks good on paper but is lacking in implementation.

The report by the auditor general in 2024 cites a lack of adequate school infrastructure and learning environments and unpreparedness in teachers across the country to deliver effective pupil learning.

A 2021 report indicated that 70% of pupils don’t complete primary. This means 68 percent of the pupils who enroll either drop out of school, marry early, die, or repeat some classes. Yet education helps to reduce inequalities and achieve gender equality.

It also empowers people everywhere to live more healthy and sustainable lives.

Therefore, the government needs to improve the quality of teaching and learning, raise standards of attainment, and address barriers such as a lack of meals or sanitary towels, among others.