Education in sub-Saharan Africa is under siege—not from conflict or natural disasters, but from soaring tuition at some of the continent’s most trusted institutions. In the once-affordable Catholic schools of Uganda, Zimbabwe, and beyond, families now pay upwards of $600–$800 per term, making access to education a painful choice.

At Uganda Martyrs’ Secondary, Namugongo—a Catholic-run school—tuition once hovered near $800 per term. Even after a recent reduction to $600, weekly “zero balance” policies mean parents must pay full tuition before the school term starts, or their children are turned away.

This harsh demand saddens many. Take Birungi, a father who expresses growing dread over meeting fee deadlines, “You can go there and see the brother and negotiate…planning to drop out soon,” he admits/

A Financial Emergency

A shocking World Bank finding reveals that 54% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa prioritize school fees over medical expenses—signaling systemic distress. Even government schools are increasing fees—up to $700 per term in Uganda—besides charges for uniforms, books, and “capital development.”

The result? Africa continues to see some of the world’s highest dropout rates, especially among vulnerable families forced to choose between schooling and basic survival.

The Church’s Dilemma

Catholic schools are non-profit by mission, yet they must stay competitive. Ronald Reagan Okello, who manages education for Uganda’s bishops, notes the pressure: “We face the same maintenance costs” and must raise fees to match private rivals.

Yet critics accuse the Church of abandoning its mission. In Zimbabwe, proposed privatization of church schools has ignited backlash, with parents decrying education’s drift toward being a commodity apnews.com+11apnews.com+11instagram.com+11.

⚖️ What’s Missing

While existing reports capture the financial squeeze, few dive into:

• Who profits from these fee hikes and the opaque fund allocations by school administrations?
• The impact on teacher salaries—are educators benefiting, or bearing heavier workloads?
• Long-term outcomes: Are school dropouts increasing child labor or forcing early marriages?

Communities now call on the Catholic Church hierarchy to step in—not merely by offering scholarships, but by actively regulating fees, increasing transparency, and lobbying governments to cap fees across the board.

When Catholic schools—once symbols of affordable, values-based education—become out of reach, it sends a chilling message: education in sub-Saharan Africa is fast splintering into access for the privileged, while the rest are left scrambling. The public is watching: will the Church heed its moral call, or will education trade its soul for solvency?