How to choose a secondary school in Uganda

Choosing a secondary school is one of the more consequential decisions a family makes, and it is usually made with incomplete information under time pressure. These are the questions worth asking before you commit.

Start with the practical constraint that will not bend: distance. A school that requires ninety minutes of travel each way will shape your child's day more than its exam results will. Ask what proportion of learners board, and whether a bus route serves your neighbourhood.

Then ask about class size, and ask for the number rather than the ratio. A 1:40 ratio across the school can conceal a 1:60 S1 class. Ask how many learners sat the last national exam and how many started S1 four years earlier — the gap tells you about attrition.

Finally, ask what the fee actually covers. Some schools quote tuition alone; others fold in meals, boarding, and exam registration. Two schools quoting very different numbers may cost the same by the end of the year.