More than half of the Ugandan population is younger than 15. Only a few have the chance to receive a good school diploma and professional training, which would be necessary to make a living. In general, school attendance is mandatory for under 15 year-olds and every citizen has the right to seven years of education. Still, one third of people over 15 cannot read or write. Many children cannot attend school because they have to contribute to the family income or watch smaller siblings or because their families cannot afford to send their children to school.
Since 1997 primary school education is free for four children of every family. The number of enrolled students increased by over 2.5 million to about 6.8 million in 2000. However, the quality of primary education still suffers until today. The class rooms are overcrowded, the teachers are badly trained and the schools poorly managed. According to UNICEF, two thirds of primary school students stop attending school prematurely and without a diploma. The government pays each school 9000 Uganda Shilling (about € 5) per year for each student. This is not enough. Thus, the quality of the classes has further decreased since school tuition was abolished in 1997: Many schools teach without books and without an appropriate class room. In contrast, the level of education in private boarding schools is usually much higher. So far, only very few children have had the opportunity to go to secondary school. Many parents simply cannot afford to.
For a long time, the system of professional training in Uganda was insufficient. There are still not enough state schools for professional training. Also, the equipment and the management of training institutions are often deficient and the teachers badly trained. To improve the situation, the Federal Republic of Germany has made professional training a focus of the cooperation with Uganda.